Lapwing weather
1st May 2012, Tuesday
Today there were several broods of tiny lapwing on view at Rye Harbour Farm, especially in the central and western fields that have many ponds and scrapes in. I can’t make my mind up if the recent cold, wet and windy weather has been good or bad for lapwings. The weather deteriorated on the very day the first chicks hatched, but being small they can easily find warmth and shelter under their parents. BUT they must find food, and cold weather probably means there hasn’t been so many insects about and the chicks have to be brooded for longer. BUT, the wet weather has created more ideal feeding areas for chicks - wet muddy margins - that should now last long enough to see the birds fledge… lets hope todays mild weather continues.