Pair of lapwings sighted in Moray. Arable lowland offers potential nesting spots. A sign of hope amidst species decline.
I saw lapwings through my binoculars. They sat on wet furrows, and I was happy to see them. However, lapwings are rare now, and I felt sad, too, knowing their nests may fail later.
Spring makes me feel sad. I tour the Laich of Moray, finding lapwings gone from old spots. I had hoped they’d return with spring cereals, but sadly, it didn’t happen; autumn cereals caused the decline.
Lapwings nest in bare ground. Spring cereals suit them because they can spot predators easier. Autumn cereals grow too tall, and birds don’t feel safe there.
Intensive farming hurts lapwings as cereal crops lack chick food. Studies show chicks move to grasslands, where they find worms and snails.
Rolling crops hurts nests and encourages plant growth. This probably destroyed many eggs.
Did the farmer see the lapwings? I wondered as he ploughed.
My father farmed with horses, and later, he used tractors. He moved lapwing eggs and made new nests after. Modern farmers may not notice birds; they are high in their cabs.
It would be great if they noticed and could help nests succeed. This iconic bird still tries to breed.