Wild Lapwing Winter Flocking Welfare

Lapwings form large winter flocks on flooded grassland and estuaries, with welfare dependent on food availability and minimal disturbance during critical feeding periods.

Key Facts

UK wintering lapwing numbers are supplemented by migrants from the Continent from October onwards
Winter flocks gather on flooded grassland, estuaries and ploughed fields to feed on invertebrates
Hard frost forces lapwings to coastal areas and can cause significant mortality through starvation
Recreational disturbance repeatedly displacing flocks increases energy expenditure in cold conditions
Winter-flooded grassland on RSPB and Wildlife Trust reserves provides critical feeding habitat

Welfare Considerations

Lapwing winter welfare depends on undisturbed access to invertebrate-rich wetland habitats. Reducing recreational disturbance at key winter feeding sites reduces energy stress in cold weather.

What You Can Do

Give winter flocks of lapwings space and avoid repeatedly flushing them when walking nearby
Support wetland reserve management that creates winter feeding habitat for lapwings
Record lapwing winter flock sizes through WeBS and BTO winter bird surveys