´óÏó´«Ã½

In order to see this content you need to have both enabled and installed. Visit for full instructions

Lapwing

Last updated: 01 February 2011

In this clip Iolo Williams visits on Anglesey - one of the main reserves in Wales to see flocks of lapwing.

The birds have unusual shaped wings which are broader at the tip than at the body, enabling them to perform fantastic aerial displays which definitely give marsh harriers a run for their money.

This distinctive resident farmland wading-bird was once a common sight in the UK, but in the last 40 years, lapwing numbers have declined by about 80% in England and Wales.

During the breeding season, from February until June, male lapwings put on an impressive acrobatic display to attract the ladies.

As the birds tumble and roll through the sky you'll see flashes of their largely black and white plumage.

Listen out for the distinctive 'peewit' call, which gives the bird its nickname.

In the breeding season you're most likely to see lapwings on fields with spring-sown cereals, root crops, pasture, meadows and fallow fields.

These provide areas with the bare soil they need to prepare their nest, which is essentially a scrape or depression in the ground lined with plant material, and food for the chicks when they hatch.

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


Bookmark this page:

Try one of the walks from Derek's latest walking series on ´óÏó´«Ã½ One Wales.

Wildlife

Toads by Brian Stone

In your garden

Find out about the wildlife you can find on your doorstep.

A fin whale

Wildlife photos

A gallery featuring rare and unusual wildlife sightings in Wales.

Wildlife map of Wales

´óÏó´«Ã½ Wales Nature map

Explore Wales

Zoom in and discover wildlife in your area with our interactive map.

´óÏó´«Ã½ iD

´óÏó´«Ã½ navigation

´óÏó´«Ã½ © 2014 The ´óÏó´«Ã½ is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.