Posted on behalf of Michael MacDonald, Senior Conservation Scientist.
In 2012 and 2013, the RSPB has been involved (in partnership with the GWCT) in a project investigating whether fallow plots that have been put in place under agri-environment schemes are effective in increasing the number of chicks fledged.
Fallow plots are lightly tilled in early spring to provide bare earth and sparse low vegetation in the lapwing nesting season in spring and early summer. These plots are favoured by nesting lapwings because the bare ground and low vegetation allows the adults to see approaching predators. However, despite the widespread roll out of this option, it is difficult to determine whether plots are responsible for increasing the number of fledged chicks compared to other arable crops. This is largely because chick survival is thought to be more important than nest survival, but it is also much harder to measure.
In this project, we have followed breeding lapwings at around 30 farms in East Anglia, both on plots and on typical spring crops, such as barley or beets. We have found nests, and observed them until they have hatched or failed. We have then followed chicks in two ways: first, by regular visits to estimate how many fledged chicks are present; and second, by placing radio-tags on some chicks, and following their survival through to fledging. This is especially challenging, as the parents will often move the chicks to different fields, so that locating a radio signal is not always straight forward. Similarly, when chicks are predated they may be taken some distance away, and it is not always possible to find a signal. Nevertheless, this is the best way to get good information on chick survival.
Both years have had their challenges due to unseasonable weather. In 2012, constant rain in April and June made it difficult simply to get out into the fields, because we don’t want to disturb the birds when it might have negative effects on them. In 2013, the late cold spring meant lapwings started nesting later than usual, and there was a lot more bare ground available in spring, so that the birds were less restricted to nesting on plots. We also had to deal with snow in the very early stages of our field work.
Despite these issues, working on lapwings is highly enjoyable. They are very beautiful birds, and their courting displays in spring are wonderful to watch. The chicks are very engaging, and although we know the odds are stacked against them as individuals, it’s very satisfying to see fledged young at our sites, often birds that we have followed almost daily. We’ve also been lucky enough to be allowed access to land by farmers who have a real interest in conservation, and who have shown great interest in what we have been doing. It’s very important work, because lapwing numbers have been declining rapidly. Reversing this decline may not come easily, but the goal of research such as this is to come up with solutions that will lead to lapwings becoming more common on arable farms.