The Lapwing
Lapwing Vanellus vanellus L 30. Breeds commonly on coastal meadows, lakeside marshy meadows, fields, arable land, moors and bogs. Breeding numbers in Britain have recently declined enormously. Easily recognised by long thin crest, black and white markings (black green-glossed) and uniquely broad, rounded wings - males in particular have veritable 'frying-pans'! Female spotted white around bill base and on throat. Immatures have shorter crest and lack black on the throat. Early nester. Display flight of males remarkable: after a slow-motion start with deep, heaving wingbeats, the Lapwing steps up to full speed; travels along close to the ground with muffled droning wing noise ('engine throb'), fiercely pitching from side to side, suddenly to shoot up in the air with a shrill 'chat'-o-wee'; then utters one or two short 'eVIP-eVIP' calls in normal level flight, only to dive promptly head-first towards the ground with acrobatic rolls and a drawn-out 'cheew-o-wee'; then continues with the frenetic zigzag flight. On breeding grounds mobs intruding humans, foxes (active at night) etc with a shrill 'WEEW-ee, WEEW-ee'. Adult Lapwings migrate from the north during the summer. Migrating flocks relatively disorderly. Flight is with clipped wingbeats but leisurely for a wader. Juveniles gather in autumn in large flocks on the fields, feed on worms in plover fashion. RWP
