Rare video of very protective Masked Lovewing and her chicks in Royal National Park

Alfords Point nature photographer Greg Tannos filmed the beautiful scene for his website, findmyaustralia.com

"Masked Lapwings are very common, but not many get to see them with their chicks," he said.

"National Park and Wildlife officers will usually rope off an area when they see the birds nesting.

"I filmed this very protective Masked Lapwing as she anxiously waited for her four chicks to return to the safety of their home - tucked under her wings.

"Masked Lapwings are shy and harmless in summer and autumn but this behaviour totally changes when nesting begins.

"The nesting pair will defend their territory against all intruders by calling loudly, spreading their wings, and then swooping fast and low, and where necessary striking at interlopers with their feet and attacking animals including humans on the ground with a conspicuous yellow spur on the carpal joint of the wing."