Wildlife

Wild Lapwing Breeding Season Protection

Lapwings are ground-nesting birds highly vulnerable to agricultural operations and predation during breeding season.

Key Facts

Lapwing populations have declined by over 50% in the UK since the 1970s
Ground nests are vulnerable to agricultural machinery, trampling, and predator pressure
Early season grass cutting destroys most nests present in traditional meadow habitats
Wader-friendly grassland management with delayed cutting dates benefits lapwings substantially

Welfare Considerations

Lapwing chicks killed by agricultural machinery or predators experience acute welfare harm. Adults whose nests are destroyed face repeated breeding failure. Delayed cutting, predator management, and sympathetic grazing provide the conditions lapwings need to breed successfully.

What You Can Do

Support agri-environment schemes providing lapwing nesting habitat
Advocate for wader-friendly farming payments through agricultural policy
Participate in lapwing survey programmes to inform conservation management