Solitary lapwing

ForestPaul · #1 (**permalink**) 10-12-2010, 11:28 AM

As the snow and ice thaw out and finally reveal some grass I spotted a solitary lapwing.
I've never seen one in this area before, and I've never seen just one on it's own.
I wonder what's brought this single bird to our neck of the woods ?

Wild-Woman · #2 (**permalink**) 10-12-2010, 11:45 AM

Perhaps it has discovered that as the snow melts, the worms and soil living inverts are more easily accessible.

Ukwildlifeo · #3 (**permalink**) 10-12-2010, 12:20 PM

Ive seen a few waders in areas where I dont usually see them. They seem to home in on the green gaps in the snow. We had a godwit land in a melted patch a few days ago

ESJ · #4 (**permalink**) 10-12-2010, 04:34 PM

I've also noticed this behaviiour. Yesterday a single bird in a very large field, today two birds in a smaller area. In winter Lapwings usually flock together so this is unusual. As suggested, must be something to do with the softening ground providing a food source of some sort.

Steve.

Jennie · #5 (**permalink**) 10-12-2010, 10:29 PM

I also saw a single Lapwing yesterday in Yeovil, between the football ground and a main trading estate road. Not a bird I expected to see in a town! I drove past not three metres from it, they're quite large birds close up.

diggleken · #6 (**permalink**) 11-12-2010, 08:19 AM

this isnt too unusual, but it is a bit early - lone stragglers start to move back to breeding territories, or en-route to them around this time, often in snowy frozen conditions, they will seek out exposed grassland/meadow to try and feed, sometimes near a spring which keeps the ground clear and workable.
cheers
Ken