Wild Lapwing Nest Protection and Chick Welfare

The lapwing is one of the UK's most threatened farmland birds. Protecting nests and chicks during agricultural operations is critical for both population recovery and individual bird welfare.

Key Facts

UK lapwing populations have declined by over 50% since the 1970s, driven primarily by agricultural intensification
Lapwings nest on the ground in open farmland, making eggs and chicks highly vulnerable to machinery
Nesting begins in late March, coinciding with spring tillage and grass cutting operations
Chicks are precocial but remain in the nest area for several days and cannot fly for 5-6 weeks
Predation by foxes, corvids, and badgers is the leading cause of nest failure on farmland
Agri-environment scheme options including lapwing plots and reduced stocking density support nesting success
The RSPB Lapwing Project has demonstrated significant breeding success improvements with targeted management

Welfare Considerations

Lapwing nests and chicks are acutely vulnerable to agricultural machinery during the critical spring nesting period. Crushing of eggs and chicks by machinery is an avoidable welfare harm that can be substantially reduced through nest marking and machinery avoidance protocols. Predation of chicks and eggs - while natural - is amplified by habitat changes that favour predator abundance. Conservation management that reduces predation pressure and machinery mortality directly improves individual bird welfare alongside population outcomes.

What You Can Do

Mark discovered lapwing nests with canes to enable machinery avoidance if you manage farmland
Support the RSPB's farmland bird conservation schemes and lapwing recovery projects
Enter agri-environment scheme options that support lapwing nesting on any farmland you manage
Report lapwing nest locations to local wildlife groups for monitoring support
Reduce corvid pressure around nesting areas through legal management where appropriate