Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus)
The familiar “peewit” echoes across the beach as the lapwings bound in an upward flight, coming down to rest in groups, or deceits. It devours worms and insects from the ground with its short black bill. It has a distinctive arrangement of feathers, on its head its slickback feathers point rearward, and with a glossy green plumage, the lapwing is hard to miss.
You can see the lapwing all year. However, there are half a million more lapwing in the UK from October to March as they make their way some 3,000 miles from the frozen siberian tundra.
The lapwing is protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and is on the red list of bird conservation.
Download our handy Lapwing identification guide and fact sheet below.
Listen to the lapwing bird call
Listen to the lapwing alarm call
Discover more about the daring dozen migratory birds found in East Kent
Birds that have made the perilous journey to feed on our coast.
Join the Savvy Sea Dogs
By following our Coastal Canine Code
you can ensure that our four legged friends
can continue to enjoy the coast whilst avoiding disturbance to our feathered friends.