Species - Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus)
Location - Netherley Brow, Ramsden Reservoir, Holmfirth
Grid Ref - SE11049 05498
Although Lapwings can be seen all year round, I generally tend to see more of them in January. This may well be down to the fact that it’s the start of the year and due to New Years resolutions I am getting out onto the moors near to Holmfirth more. Lapwings are known to our local farmers as ‘Peewits’, which is down to the noise that they make, but its proper name is down to its round wing pattern in flight (see middle photo below)
Lapwings are on the RSPB’s red list (endangered) and I have been involved in a number of conservation projects in my area to try and help this species. One of the main causes for their demise, is that they have their nests in farmers fields quite low down into the valleys. Here they can be more easily predated by foxes and are more likely to be disturbed by dogs not kept on leads.
I regularly see Lapwings at most of the RSPB reserves that I visit, and to me their distinctive call is one of the sounds of the countryside (the other being the cry of the curlew)
