Wednesday 13 July 2016

Wild Bird Wednesday 207 - Lapwing

This week continues the theme of birds that rely on damp grasslands for breeding.  As a kid I would have called these birds Peewits and they were a (reasonably) common sight on ploughed fields and on the permanent grasslands on the Mendips.  Today, they are not so abundant.

Technically I think these birds are now called Northern Lapwings, and enjoy a double barrelled scientific name - Vanellus vanellus.






You may not be surprised to find out that these pictures were taken on Orkney in Scotland.

You may also not be surprised to find out that you can join in with WBW by clicking on the blue button below!  SM  (As ever I an dreadfully behind with comments.)

35 comments:

  1. That Lapwing is a handsome critter! Very nice photos!

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  2. de Kievit in zijn eigen omgeving is hij ook op zijn mooist.

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  3. great shots of the Lapwing. Nice to see them as I had a hard time coming close to them this season. :)

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  4. Very handsome and distinctive wader. Definitely not a common sight inland compared to many years ago.

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  5. Great birds. We have a pair that have bred in the next field along from the one behind our house.

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  6. yes these are called Northern Lapwing and a lovely wader. Many thanks for hosting.

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  7. I like the tall feathers on top of this bird's head!

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  8. I think that the Lapwings are so pretty and happy to see these great images~

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  9. Hello, gorgeous shots of the Lapwing. I would love to see this bird in person. Thanks for hosting. Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day!

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  10. I like these guys! That little cowlick thing they've got going on makes them look rather regal!

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  11. Great photos of a very interesting bird.

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  12. Love the crest on the lapwings - such distinctive birds! Thanks for hosting once again.

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  13. Fascinating critters! Great shots

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  14. Great photos!
    I like lapwings very much.
    I see them almost every day here in southern Finnish countryside.

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  15. The Orkneys seem like an amazing place. Lovely photos.

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  16. A beautiful Lapwing. I like the feathers that stick up on top of it's head. It looks like it has antennae.
    Coincidentally Stewart I did my WBW post featuring a air of Masked Lapwings before I visited here, then when I came to link up I was surprised to see that you featured a Lapwing as well.

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  17. I'm fortunate to have Lapwings nesting a few miles down the road from me, on my patch. Great birds to see and hear all year round. Numbers are dwindling year after year though.

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  18. What a neat looking bird, Stewart! Love his headdress! Happy travels.

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  19. Delightful birds, and excellent captures, Stewart!

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  20. Gorgeous lapwing shots, Stewart! Sorry I have been so absent lately. Just don't get out of the house into the heat unless I absolutely have to! Won't be moving till the end of Sept....after that I am hoping I will have many many opportunities to get some new great photos!

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  21. "Not so abundant" is a real understaement Stewart. Lucky you were in Scotland becusue in the breeding season Lapwings are becoming increasingly scarce in former strongholds of England.

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  22. I don't see anything about these birds that would cause me to call them Lapwings or Peewits for that matter. Didn't anybody notice that they have an antenna on their head ... shouldn't that be considered when naming the bird? What an interesting bird ... very similar to our California Quail I think, but much stockier. You manage week after week to find birds I have never heard of before ... either you are pretty amazing or I am pretty ignorant( I prefer the first explanation :). This is a Handsome bird and great pictures, Stewart.

    Andrea @ From The Sol

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  23. Love the head feathers..Great shots..interesting name

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  24. The Lapwing really is a fascinating bird with that great head-dress! I'd love to see one in real life (but this is not my first virtual sighting -- If not from another one of your personal posts, then by linking to some of the other amazing birders on WBW -- either way it is thanks to you. .. and my life-list would be incredible if I could count my virtual sightings ;>)

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  25. What a beautiful bird!!! I never heard of it Stewart but I love it's little "hat"...reminds my of an old time hat way back when...:)JP

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  26. What a beautiful Lapwing! Striking with the plumage.

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  27. Great shots! And finally you have a bird that I've seen!

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  28. Love the head feathers! I also like the name Vanellus vanellus. Reminds me of vanilla!

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  29. This one prissy little fellow....love those head feathers and the black and white coloring is so pretty. I am still thinking about our walks into the central chamber at Newgrange. NO touching of the walls. I remember that so well. It is fun to talk with someone who has had a similar experience. It is one of a kind. genie

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  30. Beaytiful image of the Lapwing.You're in the Orkney Isles I suppose!

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  31. Marvelous shots! I love their "do!"

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