COUNTDOWN 2002 - Cheshire region Biodiversity Programme

Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus)

Date compiled - 2001
Date reviewed - 2002

Objective

Halt and reverse the current decline in breeding pairs.

Current Status

The lapwing is an Amber List Species on the Birds of Conservation Concern (RSPB, 1996), and has declined by 49% on lowland farmland over the last 20 years. The lapwing is also on the Biodiversity Steering Group Conservation Concern List, with 20% of the Northwest European non-breeding population being in the UK.

A joint survey by the BTO and RSPB between 1987 and 1998 highlighted a decline of 60% in Northwest England, with the current population being 8,484 pairs. The Cheshire population has been estimated at more than 2,000 pairs (Guest et al, 1992).

Lapwing nest on the ground in fields with short vegetation, especially on open mixed farmland, and winter on stubbles, cereals and fallow fields. In winter lapwings form flocks, which feed and roost in large numbers in Cheshire at favoured sites, being joined by winter migrants.

Threats

• Loss of suitable nest sites due to:
  - Long term loss of mixed farming with tillage, which used to provide secure nest sites
  - Wet pastures being drained
  - Switch from spring-sown to autumn-sown crops reducing number of suitable nesting areas with short vegetation
  - Pressure from development and agricultural intensification
  - Increased stocking on pastures and nest damage by more efficient farm machinery
• Loss of abundant invertebrate food sources, especially for chicks, due to increased used of pesticides, insecticides and nitrogenous fertilisers
• Increased predation
• Extreme weather
  

Current Action

• The MAFF Countryside Stewardship Scheme provides grant aid to farmers to encourage environmentally sensitive management practices - options under this scheme will enhance and maintain the favoured habitat of the lapwing.
• BTO surveys and research including the on going Breeding Bird Survey and Common Bird Census, and also the Wintering Farmland Bird Survey 1999 - 2002, and Lowland Grassland Survey.
• The BTO survey 'Breeding Birds in the Wider Countryside 2000' has indicated the decline of the species.
• The RSPB has put the lapwing near the top of its priority species list and has prepared a Lapwing Action Plan.
• In Cheshire the RSPB (co-funded by the EA and EN) has initiated a Cheshire Skylark and Lapwing Lifeline (01484 861148, free 24 hour service) for landowners and provides specially trained volunteers who give advice to landowners.
  
• Where farmers have adopted the set-aside scheme option of creating bare-fallow, this has attracted nesting lapwings.
  

Action Required

• Liase closely with landowners/managers of suitable habitat for lapwing, to maintain and enhance quality of habitat.
• Raise awareness of the decline of the lapwing and its habitat requirements.
• Encourage alternatives to pesticides and insecticides, as the use of these is dramatically reducing the availability of insects for young during the nesting season.
• Promote effective management of set-aside for breeding and wintering farmland bird species.
• Encourage farmers and landowners to provide the right nesting, feeding and wintering habitat, using management prescriptions such as; keeping unimproved pasture, reducing stocking levels, searching for and marking out nests to reduce the number being destroyed by machinery; sowing spring drilled crops and providing a short sward graze during late summer and autumn.
  

Action Completed

• LBAP Action Group has been formed.
• Links to other farmland Bird BAPs through the generic farmland bird BAP
• Targeting agri - environment schemes at farmland bird hotspots in the region.
• Species recording card for lapwing produced by Cheshire County Council and Vale Royal Borough Council.
  

Actual LBAP Implementers

RSPB; BTO; CAWOS; CWT; FWAG; Cheshire County Council; PMH Natural History Services.

Other potential implementers

BASC; CLA; SECOS.

Contact

Roy Leigh
Phone: 01606 333296

References

HMSO (1995) : Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report, Volume 1: Meeting the Rio Challenge, London.
HMSO (1995): Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report, Volume 2: Action Plans, London.
RSPB (1995) Farmland Bird Management Guidelines: Lapwing

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