Wildlife

Lapwing Welfare on Farmland 2026

The lapwing is a familiar farmland wader whose UK breeding population has declined dramatically, with targeted agri-environment interventions showing recovery potential.

Key Facts

UK breeding population declined by 80 percent since 1960
Listed as Red conservation status in the UK
Needs rough grassland, wet fields, and bare wet margins for nesting
Male displays spectacular tumbling song flights in spring
Winter flocks can number thousands on lowland wet grassland

Welfare Considerations

Intensification of grassland management, drainage of wet fields, and loss of mixed farming systems have removed breeding habitat across the farmland landscape. Predation in remaining habitat is intensified by high fox and corvid densities. Wet margin creation through agri-environment schemes can restore local populations.

What You Can Do

Support campaign for mandatory wet margins in arable farming
Donate to GWCT lapwing recovery research and action
Advocate for wet grassland restoration through agri-environment policy
Report lapwing breeding attempts to BTO Breeding Bird Survey