Lapwing Welfare and Nesting Success in 2026

The lapwing is a ground-nesting farmland bird whose welfare and breeding success depends on access to wet grassland and arable fields with appropriate management.

Key Facts

Lapwing populations declined 50% in the UK between 1970 and 2020
They nest on bare or sparsely vegetated ground near water or on arable fields
Chick survival is strongly linked to invertebrate availability in wet areas
Nest destruction by farm machinery is a significant cause of breeding failure
Agri-environment schemes targeting wet grassland have helped stabilise some populations

Welfare Considerations

Lapwing welfare during the breeding season is critically affected by farm management timing and water levels. Nests on arable fields are frequently destroyed by cultivation. Chick starvation due to invertebrate scarcity in dry spring conditions reduces productivity. Disturbance from recreational activities in wet grassland areas disrupts breeding. Predation from foxes and corvids, elevated by nest visibility on bare ground, is a significant welfare and productivity factor.

What You Can Do

Support agri-environment schemes that create wet grassland for lapwings
Avoid disturbing open ground in potential lapwing nesting areas in spring
Participate in lapwing monitoring schemes run by the RSPB and WWT
Advocate for agricultural practices that protect lapwing nests during cultivation
Support legal predator management where it benefits ground-nesting bird welfare