Lapwing

Also known as the Peewit in imitation of its display calls, the Lapwing’s proper name describes its wavering flight. Its black and white appearance and round-winged shape in flight make it distinctive even without its crest.

This familiar farmland bird has suffered a significant decline in the last 25 years and is an Amber List species because of the importance of its UK wintering population.

Lapwings mainly breed on farmland throughout the UK, particularly in lowland areas of northern England, the Borders and eastern Scotland. They prefer fields of spring sown cereals and root crops, permanent unimproved pasture, meadows and fallow fields but also wet grassland and marshes.

During the winter Lapwings can be seen on flooded grassland, estuaries, coastal wetlands, short grassy fields and ploughed fields. In addition to the UK population, large numbers of north European birds arrive in the autumn for the winter.

Date: 09/05/06

Location: Conwy RSPB reserve, Gwynedd