Apparently there used to be large flocks of Lapwing on this site in the 1950's, when it was under traditional mixed-farming management. The practice of planting crops in the late spring allowed Lapwings to rear their chicks before the crop grew too high and the less intensive use of herbicides allowed enough insects to survive as food for them.

I didn't think that I would ever see any Lapwings, but this year I kept hearing a rather strange call. This went on for several weeks during the late summer/early autumn until I managed to catch sight the bird in flight.

Ahter listening to the calls of every likely bird on the RSPB website I finally realised that I had a real live Lapwing. Quite an emotional moment for me really.

I have only ever seen a single bird in display flight, so I assume that he was staying by a large new lake about half-a-mile away.

First sighting - 2008

highest annual counts:

           2008         - 1