Effects of agricultural change on nesting LapwingsVanellus vanellusin England and Wales

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The impact of agricultural change on the nesting of Lapwings in England and Wales between 1962 and 1985 was analysed using nest-record cards of the BTO. Habitat use changed over the period with a general increase in nesting in upland grass. There was no change in the timing of nesting in grass, although apparently it was earlier than between 1940–61; more later nests were recorded in tillage. Overall clutch size showed no change between 1962–85, but clutches were consistently larger in tillage because of fewer partial losses. Larger clutches were found in emerged tillage crops than newly tilled land, and unimproved compared with improved grassland. There were also regional variations in clutch size in grassland. Brood size at hatching showed a progressive decline through the period because of steadily rising losses to farming. Nests in cereal and bare tilth were by far the most successful, and least successful in bare plough and upland grass. Agriculture (farmwork and the presence of farm animals) caused the loss of 19% of all nests for which a result was known compared w. ith 12% between 1940 and 1961. Robbery by man had declined sharply since 1961, but desertion in grassland had doubled. A rise in nest losses to cultivations in tillage was related to higher March rainfall. Overall nesting performance in upland grass is now very poor because of greatly increased stocking rates. Not only are more nests lost to trampling and grassland cultivations, but increased numbers of cattle also cause more desertions. Nesting performance is much better in tillage, but the loss of spring tilled land to autumn cereals has severely limited good nesting opportunities.