Lapwing success at Minsmere

The project is grateful to all the people of Suffolk, south Norfolk, north Essex and elsewhere who have put their heart into saving the barn owl for generations to come. As well as the funders already mentioned above, we must also thank other principal supporters such as Chadacre

Agricultural Trust, who have supported the project from the very beginning, Suffolk Environmental Trust and SITA Trust. The input of local people should not be underestimated. There have been a number of barn owl parties, garden open days and evening lectures that have been specifically arranged to raise funds for the project. This funding has provided a significant contribution to the project, not only for the financial input, but by getting people involved and allowing them to see barn owls and their chicks close up, a lifetime experience. Since the birth or SCBOP, Colin Shawyer and his Barn Owl Conservation Network, which he founded in 1988, have been supportive and inspirational. Thanks are due to him for his guidance and for keeping us up-to-date with the national perspective.

RSPB

In March the Suffolk Wader Strategy workshop brought together conservation organisations from around East Anglia to explore ways to improve breeding habitat and success for nesting lapwings and other wading birds in Suffolk. Following this workshop, lapwings have enjoyed a record breeding season at one of their most important sites in the county, RSPB Minsmere. No fewer than 41 pairs nested across the reserve’s varied habitats – the highest total on record. Although a few pairs did nest within the newly protected Scrape, the majority of the birds nested on the grazing marshes or around pools with the reedbed. A few pairs also chose to nest on Minsmere’s dry grasslands, a habitat mainly managed for stone-curlews, confirming that lapwings can readily adapt to a variety of habitats if they are managed sympathetically. For more information about the Suffolk Wader Strategy, contact Ben McFarland at RSPB Minsmere tel: 01728 648085 or email: ben.mcfarland@rspb.org.uk

Lapwing June 2015. Photo: Ian Barthorpe