Helping Buxtons’ Lapwings
With the breeding season almost upon us it is really important that we protect some of our vulnerable birds
Last week we received a message from a concerned member about the potential plight of Lapwings around Bishops Lane.
BCA member Karen King wrote
"Hi, I would like to bring to your attention an issue in the Civic Association owned fields off Bishops Lane. The issue concerning nesting lapwings and the use of these fields by dog walkers who leave the public footpath at the edge of the field or from the lane to exercise dogs off the lead. We have heard and watched the arrival of the lapwings come to nest every March for the last 30 years. Last year the remaining pair were disturbed and left. Meanwhile dog walkers continue on a daily basis to exercise their dogs in the field off the lead letting the dogs roam over the whole field near to where the Lapwings usually nest, risking disturbing the birds and their nests. As numbers of Lapwings are falling and they are "Near Threatened" I worry about what will happen this spring and hoped the Civic Association might be able to help with the issue.
More than happy to help and add further information if required. Looking forward to hearing from you."
Simon Fussell writes:
I can remember back in the early 70's the fields were full of Lapwings or Peewits as we called them. Now they are hanging on in isolated pockets their numbers threatened by a number of factors.
So what can we do? How can we help Karen and the Bishop lane Lapwings?
Lindsey Wakefield, Chair of the Biodiversity Group makes the following points. "So much Lapwing habitat has been lost through shifts in farming practice, and birds that still return to sites in March are often battling against these changes and fail in their breeding attempts. Lapwings are long-lived birds - they return to the same spots each year and watching them fail for controllable reasons is heartbreaking. The issue of free running dogs should be the easiest threat to address if there is awareness and understanding."
The Photographs below (taken by Karen King) show where some of the issues are.
First area ( Photo 1 160807) at the farthest corner of the field first across the stream and away from Bishops Lane accessible from both the style near the Church Yard and by people climbing the first gate on Bishops Lane.
See Photo 162216 The second area is the further of the two fields accessible from the second gate on Bishops Lane. (Photo 162216) The notices would be very much appreciated and hope that they are not taken down this time. If I could suggest one on the gate on Bishops Lane and the 2 styles in the field so that all access are covered. Also closing the gate to the upper field would help.
Karen King writes I have taken the liberty of photographing the wall stone wall on Bishops Lane which has fallen down and dogs can get over it.( Photo 16125) I have attempted in the past to add a few stones on top to make it more difficult for dogs on the lane to get over the wall. don't think it has worked!
Finally could something be done to stop dogs getting under the first gate (Photo 162624)?
So we can all do something to help the Lapwings
Adult Lapwing Photo by Rowan Wakefield
Keeping dogs under control and being aware that from March to the end of July there will be ground nesting birds such as Lapwings that need our help to halt the decline in numbers is a good way to start.
To help raise awareness and suggest how people can help BCA will be putting signs up to let people know that there are ground nesting birds in the area and we will be raising awareness through social media.
Thank you for your support