The impact of livestock on Lapwing Vanellus vanellus breeding densities and performance on coastal grazing marsh

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Capsule Even at very low stocking densities, livestock reduce breeding densities of adult Lapwings and increase the risk of nest loss due to predation. Aims To assess the effects of livestock on Lapwings breeding on coastal grazing marshes. Methods Densities of breeding adults, clutch sizes, laying dates, incubation schedules, clutch and chick survival were compared between marshes grazed at low stocking densities (0.2–0.51 livestock units/ha) and marshes where livestock had been excluded. Repeated measurements of sward heights were also made. Results. Breeding densities in 1995 and 1997, but not 1996, were negatively correlated with the presence of livestock. Though few nests were trampled, livestock disrupted incubation schedules and increased the risk of nest predation. Clutches were smaller on grazed marshes than on ungrazed marshes, while more clutches were also laid later on grazed marshes. Grazed swards remained shorter, and more suitable for nesting, longer than ungrazed swards but clutches laid later in the season were more likely to be predated. Conclusion The exclusion of livestock from selected areas to increase the nesting success of lapwings is a desirable option on coastal grazing marshes where the rate of grass growth is slow in spring. Grazing regimes are suggested that would maintain relatively short swards, provide refuge to Lapwings from livestock during the peak nesting period, and allow grazers to exploit all of their marshes.