A Lapwing that was ringed as a chick successfully fledged four young of her own at RSPB Pulborough Brooks nature reserve in West Sussex this year.
A five-year-old Lapwing returned to RSPB Pulborough Brooks to breed. Originally rung with a unique identification ring as a chick in 2018, she came to nest at the reserve this year and fledged four chicks.
A wading bird that breeds on farmland and wetland sites, Lapwings have seen population declines in recent years. They are now Red-listed in the UK as a Bird of Conservation Concern. Pressures of agricultural changes and land drainage mean that the habitat suitable for breeding wading bird species like Lapwing has been lost across England. However, thanks to beneficial conservation management at RSPB Pulborough Brooks this species has found an ideal spot to raise a family.
The chicks of many wading birds feed on an invertebrate rich diet, and it is the seasonal water pools in wetland habitat that provide an ideal breeding site for their prey. The drying up of these remaining precious habitats before chicks have fledged is a major threat for species survival.
Surveys of the wetland habitat at Pulborough Brooks identified key areas to keep water on the site during the important breeding months. The team carried out vital conservation work to achieve this, installing simple earth dams using mud to slow the flow of water. They also utilised the network of ditches to move water to priority areas of the reserve to keep this precious resource in the landscape for longer.
Anna Allum, Visitor Experience Manager at RSPB Pulborough Brooks, said: “It was heart-warming to see a Lapwing that had been ringed here as a chick choose to raise her very own family at the reserve. It was such a special moment to witness her four young chicks grow day by day before taking their first flight over the wetlands.
At RSPB Pulborough Brooks, staff and volunteers work hard to maintain this precious wetland habitat for wildlife so there’s nothing better than seeing a species choosing to return here. We’re continuing to work across RSPB reserves in Sussex to provide spaces where nature and people can thrive.”
Located in the Arun Valley in West Sussex, Pulborough Brooks is set in one of the richest areas for nature in the country. With Lapwing displaying acrobatically in the sky in spring, to whirling flocks of wading birds and wildfowl in winter, it supports a vast array of species. Thanks to the care of the team here, species have a safe space to return to and raise their families year after year.
RSPB Pulborough Brooks is open daily and after a wild walk exploring the trails you can enjoy a stop off at the visitor centre, shop and café or discover the children’s play area. The reserve is open 10am-4pm, entry is free for RSPB members. www.rspb.org.uk/days-out/reserves/pulborough-brooks.
