Lapwing
Vanellus vanellus
Tap image to enlarge · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
Once one of the most familiar farmland birds in Britain, the Lapwing has declined badly — lost from most lowland farmland due to agricultural intensification. The Sefton Coast retains good numbers as a breeding and wintering species. At Marshside the displays in early spring — tumbling, 'pee-wit' calling, iridescent green wings — are a sign that the season has turned. Winter flocks can be large and spectacular, rolling across fields in coordinated movement.
At a Glance
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Charadriidae |
| Habitat | Coastal marsh · Farmland · Lagoon edge · Flooded fields |
| Diet | Earthworms, soil invertebrates, beetles |
| UK population | Around 140,000 breeding pairs, down 80% since 1960 |
| Sefton Coast | Breeding colony at Marshside; winter flocks of several thousand on surrounding farmland |
| Conservation | UK Red List |
Where to See It
Marshside RSPB lagoons and surrounding fields. Hesketh Out Marsh. Farmland behind the sea wall.
Identification
Medium wader with distinctive wispy crest. Iridescent green-black above, white below, black breast band. Orange-red undertail. Broad, rounded wings with slow wingbeats.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Breeding birds display noisily from March. Winter flocks tend to roost on flooded fields — look for them from the sea wall.
Conservation Status
UK Red List
This species is on the UK Red List for Birds (BoCC5), indicating serious concern about its population decline or unfavourable conservation status. Monitoring this species on the Sefton Coast contributes to national population tracking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Lapwings declining in the UK?
Lapwings have declined by 80% since 1960, mainly due to agricultural intensification — silage cutting destroys nests, drainage removes wet grassland feeding habitat, and pesticides reduce invertebrate food. The Marshside RSPB management (maintaining wet, grazed grassland) directly benefits Lapwing breeding success.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.