Our cameras on the lapwing nests have been very successful and the story continues to unfold revealing the fate of our lapwing nests. From 12 pairs, 6 nests have hatched 3 have been seen to be nobbled by mammalian predators and the remaining 3 have been also taken – but managed to escape being caught on camera.
Some pairs are still trying to relay on the grassland of Exminster which is great news and we wait to see if the eggs successfully hatch. We have been avidly watching the trials and tribulations of the chicks and can now report 4 chicks are close to fledging and there are still 3 very small youngsters under the close watch of their parents, dodging the evil eyes of predators. Although this may sound like doom and gloom the positives are that we are gaining more of an understanding about why our breeding waders are suffering a decline.