Biodiversity Action Plan

Lapwing

Populations of lapwing have declined dramatically over the last 30 years. Between 1987 and 1998, the breeding population in England and Wales fell by 47%. Most of England’s breeding population is now restricted to the uplands, and the lapwing has also been included on the UKBAP priority species list. In the Peak District, colonies are larger and more widespread in the northern section of the Dark Peak, with small populations in the South West Peak and Eastern Moors.

Lapwing need bare ground or short vegetation during the nesting period of mid-March to June, together with suitable foraging habitat such as wet pasture where they can access earthworms, leatherjackets and other insect larvae. Stock trampling during the breeding season can be a serious problem for this iconic farmland bird.

As with the curlew, sympathetic land management is key to maintaining the population of this charismatic bird. The Peak Birds Project, a partnership between the RSPB and the Peak District National Park Authority, is working with farmers and land managers to improve habitats for breeding waders.

In 2002 the RSPB and Peak Birds Project organised a team of volunteers who completed a Lapwing and Wader survey across the Peak District BAP area, this survey was repeated in 2007. The results of the two surveys when compared will give a good overview of short-term population trends and habitat preferences of these two waders, and will help to target land management advice.

Lapwing action plan (290KB)