Wild Wednesday – Lapwing
If you've ever wandered across a Sussex wet meadow in winter or early spring and heard a sharp 'peewit' echo across the fields, chances are you've encountered one of the UK's most charismatic wading birds, the Lapwing, scientific name, Vanellus vanellus, which means 'little fan' that refers to their slow, irregular wingbeats in flight.
The Lapwing goes by an entire flock of nicknames - from peewit and green plover to lappy, and even the Sussex folklore name 'Tieve's Nacket.' 'Lapwing' comes from the bird's distinctive flickering, zig‑zagging flight, making it instantly recognisable as it sweeps across open skies. With its jaunty crest and shimmering green and purple plumage, this bird is always a joy to watch.
Lapwings are medium-sized British wading birds, ranging from 10 to 16 inches in length with a striking appearance, both the male and female sport a prominent crest on their head and they are noted for their shrill, wailing cry.
Found on both coastal and inland sites in a wide variety of habitats. Its black-and-white appearance and round-winged shape in flight make it distinctive, even without its splendid crest.
The UK population of the lapwing has declined by 55% since 1967, caused by the loss of mixed farming (growing both crops and raising livestock) spring cropping and the intensification of grassland management, which includes pesticides. Sadly, declines in the west of the UK are leading to local extinctions.
The lapwing nests on the ground in groups, breeding between mid-March and June. Nests are often on slightly raised, scraped ground, lined with plant materials, giving a good view of approaching predators. As they nest in the open, they rely on camouflage to disguise their eggs, usually a greenish-brown colour with dark speckles. Both parents share the responsibility of incubating the eggs and protecting the nest from predators. After hatching, the chicks seek areas to hide.
Lapwings were thought to be deceitful birds - if a predator (or a human) is watching them they sometimes pretend to have a nest in a different area to where their actual nest is. Because of this, the collective noun for a group of lapwings is a 'deceit.'
Lapwings eat earth worms and other soil invertebrates, as well as insects, in particular beetles. They can also be known to eat cattle dung if the weather is bad enough. They are sometimes known as farmers' friends as they eat species which are harmful to crops.
It is on the red list of birds of conservation concern. Protection. The Lapwing is protected under the European Commission (EC) Birds Directive and under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It is an offence to kill and injure lapwing or to disturb it whilst nesting.
During the winter, some Lapwings migrate to southern Europe and other milder areas.
Read more here: Lapwing | The Wildlife Trusts