Large Flocks of Lapwings

[RKB]

Originally Posted by eenymac

It's great to see these beautiful birds seeming to make a comeback after so long.

They're not. Far from it: BTO - Breeding Birds of the Wider Countryside: Lapwing

Most of the Lapwings we see in winter come as far east as Russia and the Baltic. It's a bit relative, depending on where you are, but a 'large flock' is probably 1,000 and above (some county bird reports only mention flocks over 2,000). On the estuaries, where Lapwings gather to roost, it's not uncommon to see 10-20,000.

[actionfinch]

Im just happy to see a couple ... when i go to the reservoirs..

[clive041055]

Just seem a large flock in North Bedfordshire, easily 500+ birds. They took off and landed from fields of what looked like winter wheat, but that made me wonder what they fed on when the ground was frozen?

[galanthophile]

I have seen flocks of lapwings in a field near a pond a few times recently next to the NE coast. I couldn't estimate the numbers (maybe 50 - 100) but lovely to see.

[Tringa]

This thread got me thinking about a photo I took on last Christmas Eve over Fairlop Waters -

Bing Maps - Driving Directions, Traffic and Road Conditions

I could not count the lapwings at the time, but the photo shows about 200.

Bit surprised by the BTO link as I have seen more lapwings in the last two or three years than I have seen for a while.

Dave

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by Guinnessman1974

Have anyone else seen any large flocks of Lapwings.

In North Yorkshire, near flamborough Head, must have been around 300+ birds yesterday in a field. where likely would these birds have originated from?

Interesting to see this thread raised. As a flock of approximately the same size is present at flamborough this winter too. Birds do breed around the area they are present but in much lower densities. That farm had around 10 pairs last breeding season.