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Objectives
- In the short term, to maintain the present breeding population and range, as estimated by the 1998 BTO and WMBC surveys.
- In the medium term, to increase the numbers and breeding distribution of lapwing.
Targets
- To ensure that breeding populations are increasing on all reserves/ statutory designated sites, that historically, currently, or have the potential to support lapwing, by 2005.
- To increase the current breeding population by 50% by 2015.
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To restore the breeding population to at least the 1982 level, in the Sow, Penk and Trent valley stronghold, through the restoration of lowland wet grassland and sympathetic grassland management.
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To create three areas of lowland wet grassland, in blocks in excess of 20 hectares, in the Trent-Tame valley, by 2015.
Total achievements to date (November 1998 - March 2001)
- A Breeding Waders in Staffordshire report was produced by WMBC in 1998, showing that this species is still in decline.
Current Action
Protection and Policy
- West Midland Bird Club is the lead organisation for lapwing in Staffordshire.
Management, Research and Survey
- Work by Harper Adams University College in the pilot Arable Stewardship Scheme area has found that hatching success was higher on Option 1B Stewardship fields than others. Chick survival was poor – possibly due to lack of food or predation or both.
- RSPB have developed ‘Waders of Wet Meadows’ project, targeting the Countryside Stewardship Scheme at land suitable for wet meadow management/restoration across the county.
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The DEFRA Countryside Stewardship Scheme provides grant aid to farmers to encourage environmentally sensitive management. Under the waterside land option it is possible to restore or recreate a range of wetland habitats and damp fields that could support breeding lapwing. DEFRA and FWAG actively promote this scheme throughout the country.
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An SBAP Species Recording Card has been produced and circulated for the lapwing.
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Lapwing
(Darin Smith) |
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Action Plan
UK Lead Organisation:
N/A
County Lead Organisation:
West Midland Bird Club
Policy
- Seek to consider the requirements of lapwing when establishing and reviewing agri-environment schemes. (DEFRA)
- To include specific targets for the restoration and recreation of lowland wet grassland within the LEAP process. (EA)
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When developing Capital Flood Defence Schemes, seek to consider the use of floodplain grassland as natural flood storage and seek to re-designate areas as ‘washland’. (EA)
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Ensure any examples of sites containing populations of this species and that meet the required criteria are given SBI status. (SBI Grading Committee)
Management
- To target the Countryside Stewardship Scheme (waterside option) at areas of former wet grassland in the Sow, Penk, Trent and Blithe floodplain. (DEFRA, FWAG, RSPB, EN)
- Seek to promote an increase in the area of spring-sown crops, as opposed to autumn-sown crops, through new arable options within the Countryside Stewardship Scheme. (DEFRA, FWAG, RSPB)
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Seek to target the new Multi-Annual Set Aside option to maximum benefit for this species. (DEFRA)
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To ensure that Water Level Management Plans and their subsequent reviews for Doxey & Tillington Marshes, Baswich Meadows & Rawbones Meadow, Doley Common and Pasturefields Saltmarsh provide for the hydrological requirements of breeding lapwing. (EA, Sow & Penk IDB, SWT)
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To ensure effective agreed management, covering agricultural practices and water level management, are in place on all SSSIs which formerly, currently, or have the potential to, support breeding lapwing. (EN)
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To ensure that restoration of existing and future gravel pits in the Trent-Tame floodplain includes lowland wet grassland where appropriate. (Mineral Companies, CRP)
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To promote good practice (i.e. shallow profile to ditch sides) and seek to enhance habitat conditions for breeding lapwing during routine maintenance of drainage infrastructure. (EA, Sow & Penk IDB)
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Seek to encourage small scale ‘rewetting’ of individual fields, through the blocking of drains and grips, to encourage boggy conditions and shallow surface water for breeding lapwing. (DEFRA, FWAG, SWT, RSPB, Landowners)
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Wherever possible, seek to promote low stocking densities on current and potential lapwing breeding fields, between March and the end of May. (DEFRA, FWAG, SWT, RSPB)
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Promote full use of the new Multi-Annual Set Aside option to deliver 5 year management plans to benefit farmland birds including lapwing. (RSPB, DEFRA, FWAG)
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Seek to promote an increase in the area of spring, as opposed to autumn drilled crops via Countryside Stewardship. (DEFRA, FWAG, RSPB)
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To disseminate information on management for lapwing to advisors, drainage authorities, farmers and other land managers, through training and workshops. (RSPB, FWAG)
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To consider anti-predation measures (e.g. reduction in predator perches) in areas suitable for breeding lapwing. (DEFRA, FWAG, RSPB)
Monitoring and Research
- Re-survey of breeding waders of lowland wet grassland in 2001/2002 and 2006/2007. (WMBC)
- Encourage lapwing records from members of the public. (WMBC)
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To resurvey all census squares covered in the 1998 BTO survey of breeding lapwing every five years. (WMBC, BTO, RSPB)
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To monitor lapwing population changes within the Arable Stewardship pilot area between 1999 and 2003. (DEFRA)
Advisory
- Increase species awareness for the public and landowners through education, promotion and events. (SBAP Partnership)
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Complementary Plans
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