Guerini Guy Posted January 19, 2017 Report Share Posted January 19, 2017 (edited) Anybody else seeing larger numbers of Lapwings than usual? Have always seen Lapwings in this area of South Essex, but never as many as there are this year. Throughout my various perms we are seeing massive flocks of them, numbering many hundreds of birds. Also there have been huge flocks of Brent Geese this year - again many more than usual although they have always been regular visitors here. Frustrating when you see them passing overhead. Lost count of the number of times I have mounted a "pretend" gun and practised my lead and follow through (oh come on . . . . . . who hasn't done that at some time ). The Brent numbers seem to be significantly increasing each year, and have caused massive damage to crops locally. Been helping the farmer out with rope bangers and laser lights, but that hasn't reduced the damage very much. If their numbers keep building like this then their status may change? Anyway . . . . . I digress . . . . . back to the Lapwings. So, just curious whether anybody else has noted a particular surge in Lapwing numbers this year? Edited January 19, 2017 by Guerini Guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guzzicat Posted January 19, 2017 Report Share Posted January 19, 2017 I think you are dreaming about "change of status" once they are on the protected list they will stay on. stay . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guerini Guy Posted January 19, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2017 I think you are dreaming about "change of status" once they are on the protected list they will stay on. stay . Yup, you're probably right about that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted January 19, 2017 Report Share Posted January 19, 2017 I have not seen as many Lapwings as I have this year for a great many years. You should ask Packham to come and see them for himself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6.5x55SE Posted January 19, 2017 Report Share Posted January 19, 2017 (edited) Yup, you're probably right about that So do as I've done for nearly 40years apply and get granted a Brent License to shoot them.They soon wise up when a odd one or two falls after the bang Edited January 19, 2017 by 6.5x55SE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deny essex Posted January 19, 2017 Report Share Posted January 19, 2017 (edited) Seen more lapwings today than I have seen for many years around the Maldon area when I went for a short drive. Edited January 19, 2017 by deny essex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konnie Posted January 19, 2017 Report Share Posted January 19, 2017 seen some large groups around inland this year, good to see them, used to be loads following the plough when I was a lad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougall Posted January 19, 2017 Report Share Posted January 19, 2017 I have not seen as many Lapwings as I have this year for a great many years. You should ask Packham to come and see them for himself. maybe invite him over for a walked up day for a mixed bag of Peewit/Green Plover and Lapwing.....then again... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted January 19, 2017 Report Share Posted January 19, 2017 On my last morning flight chairman and old Wildfowler was on with me we both comented on the huge flocks of Lapwings flighting high up. Flock after flock for around ten minutes. First time I'd seen that many and he hadn't for donkeys years he said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guerini Guy Posted January 19, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2017 Yup, you're probably right about that So do as I've done for nearly 40years apply and get granted a Brent License to shoot them.They soon wise up when a odd one or two falls after the bang Farmer forgot to renew the licence, and told me that probably not worth applying now? Asked me to remind him later in the year - already put a note in my shooting diary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulnix Posted January 20, 2017 Report Share Posted January 20, 2017 We seeing less this year down here than usual but with the mild weather not bringing them down that would be expected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lord_seagrave Posted January 20, 2017 Report Share Posted January 20, 2017 Last year I saw more than I have ever seen grazing amongst the Yaks and Camels at Whipsnade Zoo. Beautiful little birds, IMHO LS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pigeon Shredder. Posted January 20, 2017 Report Share Posted January 20, 2017 Had to stop pigeon shooting a couple of weeks ago as there were so many in amongst the decoys and flighting pigeons. This was out on the Dengie peninsular, Essex at it's best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richie10 Posted January 20, 2017 Report Share Posted January 20, 2017 Last few years been loads in Essex. Not as many as when I was a kid though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guerini Guy Posted January 20, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2017 Had to stop pigeon shooting a couple of weeks ago as there were so many in amongst the decoys and flighting pigeons. This was out on the Dengie peninsular, Essex at it's best. Same here mate . . . . . but then you are not that far from me ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lord_seagrave Posted January 20, 2017 Report Share Posted January 20, 2017 Anyone remember what they taste like? LS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vampire Posted January 20, 2017 Report Share Posted January 20, 2017 Seen big flock on the fields yesterday,had not seen any for decades here in suffolk . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptC Posted January 20, 2017 Report Share Posted January 20, 2017 Must agree with paulnix - No large numbers here (E Cornwall) of Lapwings and even less Golden Plover which were until a few years ago very common. Snipe are also a rarity but woodcock have maintained their numbers. House sparrows and starlings are very scarce in the garden on the feeders but made up for by large flocks of Long Tailed Tits that devour the fat balls in days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wooder Posted January 21, 2017 Report Share Posted January 21, 2017 recently seen flocks of lapwings up on the north downs in Kent, haven't seen that many for a number of years. probably due to the cold snap in Europe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guerini Guy Posted January 21, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2017 See recent thread under the "Off Topic" section Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crowcaller Posted January 21, 2017 Report Share Posted January 21, 2017 Pacha should go and have a look it may keep is mouth shut or make him think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guerini Guy Posted January 23, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2017 Not just me then . . . . . . . . thanks for the feedback Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted January 23, 2017 Report Share Posted January 23, 2017 Exactly, cold in Europe. recently seen flocks of lapwings up on the north downs in Kent, haven't seen that many for a number of years. probably due to the cold snap in Europe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anser2 Posted January 23, 2017 Report Share Posted January 23, 2017 (edited) Penelope and Wooder have hit the nail on the head. Cold weather across most of central Europe has pushed far more than usual into the UK. Plus we had a lot of east winds before Christmas. Not only lapwings , there are more bean and white fronted geese in this country than usual too. Great to see them all. Edited January 23, 2017 by anser2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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