Lapwings are medium-sized waders with glossy dark green plumage and a long crest. They can be found across large parts of Scotland during the breeding season. In winter birds tend to move to lower ground and estuaries feeding in larger groups with some emigrating further afield to Ireland or mainland Europe. Also known as the peewit in imitation of its display calls, its common name describes its wavering acrobatic display flight in spring. During the breeding season, the highest numbers of Lapwings are in the Hebrides and Northern Isles and in agricultural areas in South and East Scotland.
The number of Lapwings in Scotland declined by a shocking 62% between 1995-2023. They are listed as Globally Near Threatened by the IUCN and they’re on the UK Birds of Conservation Concern Red List. They’re also on the Scottish Biodiversity List.
Photos: Graham Goodall, Amy Millard, Rachael Bigsby for rspb-images.com
Illustrations: Mike Langman for rspb-images.com
Action Needed
We need more and better nature-friendly farm funding to empower farmers and crofters to do more for nature, including Lapwing. We need government to invest more in nature-friendly farming by dedicating at least 25% of farm funding in 2026 to delivering nature-friendly farming, rising to 75% by the end of the Parliament. We also need to develop stronger partnerships across multiple landscapes between farmers and crofters, the agricultural industry and Scottish Government and through support offered by Working for Waders partners.
Threats
Lapwings are under pressure from a change in farming practices including increased drainage, changes to the grassland management and the loss of mixed farmland; but also from land moving out of farming entirely and either being abandoned or switching to forestry, as they breed in primarily in wet grassland and moorland with fairly low grazing pressure. Nest predation can also be a significant factor on eggs and chicks.
MSP Nature Champion
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