lapwings at Pegwell Bay

Madz · #1 (**permalink**) 14-02-2007, 10:14 AM

Yesterday I went with my husband to Pegwell Bay (fantastic place) where we saw hundreds of lapwings which suddenly took to the air at regular intervals. They would take off in a compact flock and swoop around. After a few moments in the air the flock shape itself would disintegrate and become untidy. Then they would land and a few minutes later repeat the whole process.

This continued for about an hour, - between 3 pm and 4 pm.
Does anyone know why they were doing this? Was it just to find a different feeding patch or were they doing something else?

Madz

glsammy · #2 (**permalink**) 14-02-2007, 10:32 AM

Sounds like typical Lapwing behaviour.

I've always wondered how they got their name, having watched them, I think it's because they lap round and round, over and over again!

Gill Catton · #3 (**permalink**) 14-02-2007, 10:50 AM

Potentially a reaction to a predator you couldn't see. I spent a lot of last winter watching lareg wader flocks and they are often easily spooked - often by predators I could see like a harrier or a merlin but often over things I couldn't see, maybe mink or something?

Madz · #4 (**permalink**) 14-02-2007, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glsammy

I've always wondered how they got their name, having watched them, I think it's because they lap round and round, over and over again!

"Did you know?
During flight, the alternating white then black of the flapping wings may have given the bird its name. It derives from the Old English word 'hleapewince', which means 'leap with a flicker in it'."

copied from:

BBC - Wales - Lapwings

Thanks glsammy. Thought this might be of interest. And thanks Gill. Yes, I suppose that's what makes most birds take to flight. Something disturbs them. Why didn't I think of that!!!!!

I've been trying to upload some photos but it looks like the system has changed???? Can't get the reference number up to copy and paste. Will keep trying.

Thanks again Madz

aeshna5 · #5 (**permalink**) 14-02-2007, 06:38 PM

At the London Wetland Centre there is usually a sizeable flock of Lapwing + they can be quite skittish. As they go up, usually with the Starlings, I always scan for raptors. Often none will be seen immediately, yet maybe 20 minutes later while counting wildfowl, I'll suddenly spot a Sparrowhawk sitting on the grass- those Lapwing knew it was present all the time, understandably making them nervous.

Kayleigh · #6 (**permalink**) 14-02-2007, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madz

"Did you know?
During flight, the alternating white then black of the flapping wings may have given the bird its name. It derives from the Old English word 'hleapewince', which means 'leap with a flicker in it'."

copied from:

BBC - Wales - Lapwings

Thanks glsammy. Thought this might be of interest. And thanks Gill. Yes, I suppose that's what makes most birds take to flight. Something disturbs them. Why didn't I think of that!!!!!

I've been trying to upload some photos but it looks like the system has changed???? Can't get the reference number up to copy and paste. Will keep trying.

Thanks again Madz

I have had the same problem with my photobucket not being able to copy and paste images.

Madz · #7 (**permalink**) 14-02-2007, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

I have had the same problem with my photobucket not being able to copy and paste images.

That's reassuring Kayleigh. I thought I'd might just be me!

Thanks Aeshna5 -really interesting. You don't get raptors mentioned in the shorebirds guide books do you, but I suppose it's the ideal place for them with so many flocks of waders around.

Madz