LAST CHANCE TO SAVE: THE LAPWINGS OF BEDDINGTON FARMLANDS

Beddington Farmlands Bird Group (BFBG)
Email: beddingtonfarmlands.sightings@gmail.com

In recent years, Lapwing numbers have plummeted at Beddington Farmlands, and BFBG fears that unless urgent action is taken now, this iconic species faces extinction as a breeding species.

Northern Lapwing at Beddington Farmlands by Peter Alfrey

THE PLIGHT OF LAPWING AT BEDDINGTON FARMLANDS

The tumbling display flights and evocative calls of the Lapwing have been a familiar fixture at the Farmlands for decades. In recognition of this, the original restoration plan for Beddington Farmlands identified the Lapwing as one of the site’s ten Key Species. But, the stark reality is the Lapwing is now on the precipice of extinction as a breeding species at Beddington.

The data shows a clear and depressing trend. In 2005, surveys recorded 22 pairs on site¹. By 2022 this had decreased to 10 pairs². Preliminary data from 2023 reveals only 3 pairs, who produced just 4 fledged young.

Urgent action is needed to halt this slide, and save the emblematic Beddington Lapwings, before it is too late.

WHY THE BEDDINGTON LAPWINGS ARE SO IMPORTANT

The Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) is at increasing risk across its global range. Rapid declines in its population has led it to be placed on the Red list in the UK – indicating it is a species most at risk of national extinction³. It is also listed as Vulnerable across Europe by the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN), meaning it is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild⁴.

Thus safeguarding Lapwings as a breeding species at Beddington has clear national and international importance. Maintaining them would be a significant feather in the cap for the Farmlands, with the potential to drum up popular and media interest.

The BFBG notes that the national and international decreases in this species are associated with habitat loss across its range⁴, and fear that this is now the main issue facing the Beddington Lapwings.

ABSENCE OF SUITABLE LAPWING BREEDING HABITAT

Lapwings need very specific breeding habitat – open ground, free of trees and bushes, but with low level vegetation to provide cover for their chicks once they are hatched^5,6,7. Sadly very little management of these habitats has taken place at Beddington Farmlands recently. Suitable areas are currently overgrown. As a result there is currently no suitable breeding habitat for the Lapwings as we approach the 2024 breeding season.

The BFBG strongly believes that unless Valencia Waste Management, and Thames Water take action now, there is a serious risk of Lapwings becoming extinct as a breeding species this year.

It is essential that the key habitat areas are managed properly. Focused efforts must be made to ensure Phase 1 Wet Grassland, Phase 3 Wet Grassland and the North Lake islands are ready for the Lapwing breeding season, which commences around mid-March. However, as other species start breeding in these habitats earlier, it is vital that this work begins no later than mid-February to minimise risk of disturbance..

The BFBG suggests vegetation should be reduced to a suitable level using brush cutters, then the cut vegetation must also be collected and removed, and the area seeded with the appropriate plant mix which will provide the low level vegetation that Lapwing chicks require (see Appendix for details of appropriate seed mix).

In 2023 three cattle were introduced for a short period to Phase 3 Wet Grassland, and their grazing kept large areas clear of tall standing vegetation and scrub. We welcome the plan to once again introduce cattle to this area in 2024, but feel it is essential that the cattle are introduced earlier, and kept on site for a longer period – at least for the entire breeding season from March through to late August/early September.

IMPROVED MANAGEMENT OF WATER LEVELS

An ongoing issue with the site is water management, and the water level has profound repercussions for the success of breeding Lapwings. At Beddington, they breed on low lying islands surrounded by water, so too much water risks their nests flooding, and too little water means it is easier for predators such as foxes to cross to their breeding islands.

The water levels on the site are designed to be controlled by a series of balancing weirs and sluices, but in recent years this system hasn’t worked adequately enough to give full control over the water levels, and provide the Lapwings with the optimal breeding environment.

The BFBG welcomes the recent work undertaken on one of these weirs on Phase 3, but understands that it has not been tested yet. We also note that no work has been carried out on a number of other weirs on site, notably those controlling water levels on North Lake and Phase 1.

We feel that effective water control is an absolute priority for the future of Lapwings at Beddington Farmlands. In addition this would have massive potential benefits to other species on site, notably Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Redshank and Yellow Wagtail, which were all identified as Key Species in the original restoration plan for Beddington Farmlands.

THE ISSUE OF PREDATION

As a ground nesting bird, Lapwings are susceptible to disturbance and especially predation. At Beddington a large fox population is a clear and present danger to the success of the Lapwing. In recent years “predator proof fencing” has been erected around Phase 1 and Phase 3. However it has been noted regularly by BFBG members that foxes are still entering these areas, and there are obvious weak points in these barriers, notably around the gates. Foxes have been seen jumping straight over the top of these fences.

We suggest that regular fence inspections are carried out to identify weak spots, areas that need repair and modifications which could enhance the fences efficiency.

A CO-ORDINATED PLAN IS VITAL

The BFBG acknowledges that the ownership of the Farmlands is complicated, with different organisations being responsible for different areas of the site. Unfortunately, nature does not operate to the artificial boundaries imposed by this split ownership, and this is very evident in the case of the Lapwings at Beddington Farmlands.

This species often commutes between different areas, which are controlled by different organisations. For example the North Lake controlled by Valencia Waste Management, and areas of old sludge lagoons in the southeast and north of the site controlled by Thames Water. However, the BFBG is concerned that there is no co-ordinated plan between the different organisations in the conservation of Lapwings, other species, and site ecology in general.

This is especially important in the case of the breeding Lapwings. For example in 2022 of the ten Lapwing territories, nine were in areas now managed by Thames Water. In 2023, two of the three nesting pairs were in these areas.

We call on Valencia Waste Management and Thames Water to work together and form a co-ordinated plan to save the Beddington Lapwings. As noted above this would also have profound benefits for other species on site, and could provide a framework for a co-ordinated environmental and ecological plan for the entire site going forward. This will not only benefit the conservation of this vitally important urban hotspot, but also ensure the Farmlands is a place where the public can engage and interact with nature in the future.

WHO WE ARE

Formed in 1992, the Beddington Farmlands Bird Group records the birds and other wildlife on the site, and publishes sightings on a dedicated website – https://beddingtonfarmlands.wordpress.com/

Made up of local enthusiasts, we are carrying on a rich tradition of monitoring Beddington Farmlands. Ornithological recording at the site began over a century ago and provides a unique snapshot of shifts in bird numbers, biodiversity and behaviour – a powerful barometer for assessing the impacts of climate change and habitat alteration, which are becoming increasingly pressing issues.

In addition to continuing this vital piece of citizen science, the group is passionate about the long term future of Beddington Farmlands. Naturally, we are concerned about the implications for the site’s wildlife, but we are also active in ensuring the Farmlands is a place where the public can engage and interact with nature. Our members have regularly led public walks across the site, and our outreach has included appearances in features on Springwatch/Autumnwatch, natural history documentaries and a short film for the Guardian.

The Beddington Farmlands Bird Group is independent from the site’s land owners and lease holders.

REFERENCES

The Birds of Beddington Farmlands. Peter Alfrey, Brian Milne, Derek Coleman and the BFBG, 2010.
MKA Ecology Annual Ecology Report 2021-2022 – Breeding Bird Survey data.
The status of our bird populations: the fifth Birds of Conservation Concern in the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and Isle of Man and second IUCN Red List assessment of extinction risk for Great Britain, British Birds 114 • December 2021 • 723–747 https://britishbirds.co.uk/sites/default/files/BB_Dec21-BoCC5-IUCN2.pdf
IUCN Vulnerable in Europe -BirdLife International 2017, Vanellus vanellus, The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22693949/166266204
Management and Conservation for Farmland Waders, Farm Advisory Service, https://www.fas.scot/downloads/tn688-management-conservation-farmland-waders/
Lapwing – New Forest National Park Authority, https://www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/discover/wildlife/wading-birds/lapwing/
Illustrated guide to managing farmland for Lapwings, Natural England, https://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/lapwing-habitat-guide.pdf