Comparative winter feeding ecology of LapwingsVanellus vanellusand Golden PloversPluvialis apricariaon cereals and grasslands in the Lower Derwent Valley, North Yorkshire

Abstract

The paper describes aspects of the feeding ecology and behaviour of Lapwings and Golden Plovers in an area southeast of York during the winter of 1984–85. Both species chose winter cereal (autumn-sown winter wheat and barley) in preference to other field types, including grassland. A comparison of winter cereals with Ings (permanent, unimproved alluvial meadows, traditionally farmed and subject to winter flooding) revealed no significant differences in the daily behaviour patterns, feeding rates (pecks per minute) or capture rates of large prey items by Lapwings. Lapwings reached highest numbers in winter cereals 8–¸10 cm high.