Wild Animals

Wild Lapwing Farmland Recovery

Lapwings have declined by 80% as UK breeding birds since the 1960s due to agricultural intensification, but targeted agri-environment support can restore populations on suitable farmland.

Key Facts

Lapwing require wet grassland with short swards for nesting and areas of mud for invertebrate foraging
Spring crops sown in autumn shade out nesting opportunities that spring cultivation provides
Agri-environment scheme payments for lapwing-friendly management can double nest success
Predator pressure from foxes and corvids is high on farmland where concealment cover is absent

Welfare Considerations

Lapwing chicks that hatch in structurally unsuitable swards face starvation as invertebrate prey is inaccessible in long grass. Failed nesting attempts after investment in egg laying and incubation represent significant welfare costs to individual adults. Predation of broods causes direct suffering to adults that defend chicks with elaborate distraction displays, indicating strong emotional investment in offspring.

What You Can Do

Support farmers accessing Higher Level Stewardship payments for lapwing management
Volunteer for lapwing nest monitoring with local RSPB and wildlife trust projects
Advocate for agri-environment scheme extension to all farmland types
Back research into effective predator management supporting lapwing recovery on nature reserves