17/03/2026
The lapwings are back this spring!
Intensive farming in recent decades has led to a significant decline in these ground-nesting birds, placing them on the conservation red list. But the rewilding land at Elmore Estate has become a safe haven. Following successful nesting last year, they appear to have returned in even greater numbers this spring.
The name “lapwing” is thought to refer to their distinctive zig-zag flight, performed by males during the breeding season. It’s a spectacular display, and one we’re lucky enough to witness daily over the scrapes.
Their flight isn’t their only striking feature. Both their calls and plumage are unmistakable. Their call has an oddly synthetic quality, unlike almost any other bird you’re likely to hear.
Visually, they are just as memorable: bold black and white plumage with an iridescent, oil-slick sheen across the wings, an elegant head crest, and a characteristic ‘M’ shape in flight.
With their dramatic aerial displays and unmistakable calls echoing across the wetlands, the return of the lapwings feels like a real marker of spring—and a hopeful sign that nature can recover when given the space to do so.
