Wildlife

Lapwing Breeding Welfare: Nest Protection and Chick Survival

The science of lapwing breeding welfare and how modern farming affects nest success and chick survival.

Key Facts

Lapwing nests are vulnerable to agricultural machinery — flush nesting causes abandonment
Chicks are precocial but require invertebrate-rich habitat for feeding in first weeks
Predation management alongside habitat improvement doubles productivity in some areas
Populations have declined by 80% since 1960 across much of England and Wales

Welfare Considerations

Lapwing breeding welfare depends on intact nests, adequate invertebrate prey for chicks, and freedom from predation pressure. Welfare-informed farming uses nest marking to guide machinery, delays field operations during nesting, and maintains wet areas that support chick food. Predation management is increasingly recognised as a welfare necessity alongside habitat work.

What You Can Do

Support agri-environment schemes paying for lapwing-friendly spring farming operations
Report lapwing colonies to local wildlife trusts for nest marking assistance
Advocate for targeted predation management alongside habitat restoration in lapwing conservation areas