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RSPB
South Downs
Lapwing Survey 2007
The
RSPB and the South Downs Joint Committee lapwing survey of the South Downs
chalk is well underway, but RSPB could do with some extra eyes on the ground
if you are out and about in the Downs. The survey is a repeat of the
initial one done in 2002 when 120 pairs were found on the chalk between
Eastbourne and Winchester; an important regional population. Initial
results suggest that 2007 numbers are down. Only a third of the number of
pairs have been found so far despite the efforts of some farmers to adopt
lapwing friendly management such as creating fallow plots.
To
date 19 pairs have been confirmed breeding on the Hampshire section of the
South Downs. This is considerably lower than the 52 pairs found in 2002,
mainly around the open land either side of the Meon valley.
The
month of May is crucial to finding as many pairs as possible. Please send
in details of any sightings on the Downs (excluding the river valleys) to
SouthDownsLapwing2007@rspb.org.uk or telephone 01273 775333. For further
information contact Richard Milsom, Survey Co-ordinator, RSPB South East.
(Harriet Dennison, RSPB SE)
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