A study of breeding lapwings in the new forest, hampshire 1971–74

Abstract

A study of the breeding of the Lapwing on a disused airfield and heath plot in the New Forest, Hampshire over a four year period 1971-1974 revealed an annual average breeding population of 53 pairs. The average clutch size was 3.8 and took 21 days to incubate. Numbers of eggs laid by date showed an earlier peak with small numbers of repeat layings in 1971 and 1972 compared with 1973 and 1974 where the spread of laying dates was longer and first clutch predation was high. The average weight of a newly laid egg was 26.2 g which decreased over the incubation period by O.33g/day showing an overall weight loss of 26% from the original laying weight. Although a wide range of hatching success (90% to 67%) was found, the average total young hatched per pair (including repeat clutches where first ones failed) was fairly constant from year to year within the range 3.6 to 3.8. Data concerning development of the pulli indicated a surprisingly uniform increase in weight up to 30 days, thence a levelling off to free flight. The average weight increase was 3.3 g/day, although during the first five days of life the increase was small. In all of the study years an upsurge in weight gain was noted some 10-15 days before attaining free flight. Above average gains were noted in 1971 and 1972 resulting in shorter fledging periods than in 1973 and 1974. Mortality percentages during the fledging period were calculated which indicated that 77% of all young failed to survive beyond 30 days from hatching, and the numbers of young surviving in each of the study years were calculated. Up to the hatching period wet seasons appeared to be beneficial to the species resulting in shorter than average laying date spreads, low predation, few repeat clutches and creation of the best feeding conditions for the newly hatched pulli. However, once the eggs hatched wettest conditions produced the highest mortality, and below average rainfall the least. Further research is suggested, which it is hoped will be undertaken in future years within the continuing study. © 1975 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.