Wild Lapwing Chick Welfare and Predation

Lapwing chick survival has collapsed across much of the UK farmland range - targeted predation management and habitat protection help.

Key Facts

Lapwing nest on the ground in open farmland and are vulnerable to fox, corvid, and mink predation
Chick survival to fledging is critically low across much of the lowland UK range
Nest protection using electric fencing dramatically increases hatch rates on some reserves
Targeted predator management within conservation areas can increase chick survival
Agri-environment measures creating tussocky grass for chick cover improve survival
Without management intervention lapwing productivity is insufficient to maintain populations in many areas

Welfare Considerations

Lapwing chick welfare is acutely affected by predation pressure in intensively managed landscapes where cover and invertebrate-rich feeding areas are absent. The welfare calculus of predator management for lapwing conservation - accepting welfare costs to some predators to benefit lapwing populations - is openly debated in conservation circles.

What You Can Do

Support RSPB reserves with active lapwing conservation management
Advocate for agri-environment scheme options funding lapwing habitat management
Participate in RSPB farmland bird surveys to monitor lapwing trends
Support the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust research into farmland bird conservation
Buy food from farms participating in lapwing-friendly management schemes