2 MAY 2007

A farm at Narborough in Norfolk is the regional winner in the RSPB’s fifth annual ‘Lapwing Champion’ competition.
The award goes to Steve Mumford who manages Lower Farm, at Narborough near Swaffham, part of Knights Farms Ltd. Here a concerted effort to increase the numbers of nesting lapwings has boosted the population from 30 to 54 pairs over the past five years.

The farm has created a valuable mixture of nesting habitats for lapwings. Three years ago, some arable fields were taken out of production and put down to grass. These fields are grazed to keep them open and are providing ideal nesting conditions.

Creating scrapes and wetland areas in naturally low-lying parts of fields has provided feeding opportunities for adults and chicks. Areas of feeding cover are also left in arable fields and around field margins. Chemicals are used sparingly.

Nests are marked and avoided and Steve has created a culture among the 15 farm workers (tractor drivers, spray operators, irrigation contractors, etc.) where the birds come first.

All these factors, plus predator control, has led to very high rates of productivity and lapwings are now moving into new areas as the population expands.

Andy Cotton, the RSPB’s regional farmland adviser says, “This is a first class example of how an arable farm with top-grade productive soils and high-value crops can operate in a commercial environment but also benefit wildlife at the same time.”

The runner-up in Eastern England was Archie Saul of Eresby House Farm, Spilsby, Lincolnshire, where lapwings have increased from two to 12 pairs in five years (see notes).

Regional winners receive a plaque, a goody bag and a cheque for £200, kindly donated by the competition’s sponsors, Jordans Cereals.

Ends

For further information, please contact:
Andy Cotton, RSPB Eastern England office 01603 660066
Pictures: a jpg image of a lapwing is available free for this story from Pat Knibb pat.knibb@rspb.org.uk or Chris Durdin chris.durdin@rspb.org.uk on 01603 660066

Lapwing by Andy Hay