17 February 2006

Could you be the next UK Lapwing Champion?

Lapwing - Photo by Chris Gomersall

The RSPB is calling all farmers who are doing fantastic things for lapwings to enter its 2006 flagship Lapwing Champion Competition. In recognition of the high calibre of farmers who entered in previous years, this year’s competition is set to be bigger than ever with six cash prizes to give away ranging from £200 to £1000.

The competition is sponsored by Jordan’s Cereals, who share the RSPB’s enthusiasm to reward more lapwing champions across the UK who are at the forefront of the fight to save lapwings.

Could you be the next UK Lapwing Champion? If so, the RSPB wants to hear from you now. Log on to the RSPB website www.rspb.org.uk/operationlapwing, email lapwings@rspb.org.uk or telephone Jenny Atkins on 01767 680551. The deadline for entries is 17 March 2006.

Dr Mark Avery, the RSPB’s Director of Conservation said “We are delighted to be able to celebrate the fact that many farmers are getting it right for lapwings. We hope to see record numbers of farmers entering this year.

“Good management for lapwings often works for a wide range of other wildlife too. Much of this conservation work is eligible for grants from the Government’s agri-environment schemes.”

Bill Jordan, Jordans Cereal’s Chairman said, “The competition’s growing popularity is testament to the commitment of many farmers who are changing their farming practices to benefit lapwings. We hope that this award will inspire more farmers to put wildlife at the heart of their business.”

ENDS

For further information and to arrange an interview, please contact:
Alissa Cook, RSPB press officer 01767 681577.
Chris Durdin, RSPB Eastern England office 01603 660066
Photographs:
The following photographs are available free of charge from RSPB Images in digital or traditional format. To place an order please contact Wendy Hollis at RSPB Images on 01268 711471, quoting the reference numbers of the image required.

9001998-00182-002 adult feeding in wet grassland (landscape format)
2000_1779_009 adult male lapwing in breeding habitat (portrait format)
1609001-00081-002 adult lapwing in grassland (landscape format)
2000_1776_009 adult female lapwing in breeding habitat (landscape format)
Please note these pictures are only to be used in conjunction with the Lapwing Champion story.
Or contact Pat Knibb or Chris Durdin at the RSPB’s Eastern England regional office on 01603 660066 patricia.knibb@rspb.org.uk or chris.durdin@rspb.org.uk

Notes for editors
This is the first time the competition has offered six cash prizes. Six regional champions will receive a silver plaque and be guaranteed a minimum of £200 in prize money. They will then be put forward to the next round with a chance of being crowned the UK Lapwing Champion and receiving the top cash prize of £1000.

The Lapwing Champion for 2005 was Simon Stott, of Laund Farm, Chipping in Lancashire. George Munns, from Westmoor Farm, Chatteris, Cambridgeshire was the regional winner and national runner-up in the RSPB’s third annual ‘Lapwing Champion’ competition in 2005.

The RSPB has identified five steps that can be taken to encourage lapwings on three different farm types. These help ensure each farm provides that which lapwings need to thrive: sparse vegetation, which is vital for nesting, and a good supply of earthworms and insects to feed themselves and their chicks.

On lowland livestock farms:
· Identify at least one field each year that you can manage to help lapwings - ideally a large, open field away from mature hedgerows or woodland.

· Choose a field with damp areas - boggy corner, wet flushes, shallow ditches or waterlogged soil.
· Try to carry out all machinery operations by March 31, or consider marking nests so you can avoid them.
· Try to avoid high stocking rates from April to mid-May. If possible, graze with cattle to provide the 'bumpy' sward preferred by lapwings. Grazing tightly from late summer through to autumn will create ideal nesting habitat for lapwings the following spring.

· Consider spring sowing a fodder crop (other than maize) or whole crop silage. Try to establish it by early March, or complete all operations within 10 days to allow lapwings to re-nest successfully.

On lowland arable farms:
· Identify at least one field each year that you can manage to help lapwings. Grow a spring cereal or root crop in this field.

· Choose a large, unenclosed field away from mature hedgerows or woodland.
· Choose a field that contains or is close to chick feeding sites - wet/boggy corners, pasture or set-aside.
· Try to carry out all machinery operations by March 31, or consider marking nests so you can avoid them. Alternatively, completing all operations within 10 days will allow lapwings to re-nest successfully.

· Create a one to two-hectare fallow plot in the centre of the field by ploughing or discing in late February. Use a set-aside derogation for this work.

Lapwing Management packs are available for farmers who wish to help lapwings on their farms. Further information can be found on the RSPB website www.rspb.org.uk/operationlapwing or by contacting the Operation Lapwing project manager Jenny Atkins on 01767 680551.

Chris Durdin
Public Affairs Officer
RSPB Eastern England Office
www.rspb.org.uk
e-mail: chris.durdin@rspb.org.uk
tel 01603 660066 direct line 01603 697521