Independent Project

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In association with
FdSc Countryside Management
Independent Project
Module: Independent Project
Module Code: 93580
Student Number: 20120735
Level 5
Tutor: Chris Scott
26th July 2016

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Abstract
The northern lapwing Vanellus vanellus is a protected species due to a decline in
population largely caused by the loss and fragmentation of its habitat due to
agricultural practises. By monitoring and statistical analysis this project aims to
suggest brownfield sites are an important habitat for V. vanellus to occupy for
foraging and breeding. Birds during the breeding season will be counted on
brownfield sites and compared to the populations found on ideal habitat, such as
wetland and farmland. The results showed that although V. vanellus are using
brownfield sites to breed and forage, they are not as numerous as those nesting in
ideal habitats. Brownfield sites are though, still an important area for breeding birds,
but not without their problems, it was observed that predation through mammal and
birds, nest disturbance from the humans and a lack of foraging opportunities mean
that there is a marked difference, brownfield sites can however benefit from
conservation efforts by land owners which may help in protecting this species.

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Contents Page no.
1.0 Introduction 5
2.0 Literature review 7
3.0 Aims and Hypothesis 9
4.0 Methodology 9
4.1 Subjects 9
4.1.1 Northern lapwing Vanellus vanellus 9
4.1.2 OMH 10
4.3 Procedure 11
4.4 Statistics 11
4.5 Sites 12
4.5.1 OMH 12
4.5.2 Ideal Habitats 13
5.0 Results 14
6.0 Discussion 16
7.0 Conclusion 19
8.0 References 20
List of Figures
Figure 1. V. vanellus sightings by month 14
Figure 2. Average sightings per visit 15
Figure 3. Birds per hectare 15
Figure 4. Average population per site 16
Figure 5. Signs of egg predation on Conesby Quarry. 17

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List of Appendices
Appendix 1. Raw results and data required for t-test. 24
Appendix 2. Conesby Quarry aerial OMH survey boundary 25
Appendix 3. Moat Road aerial OMH survey boundary 26
Appendix 4. Glebe Pit aerial OMH survey boundary 27
Appendix 5. Magicmap habitat layers 28
Appendix 6. Bagmoor Farm aerial survey boundary 29
Appendix 7. Alkborough Flats aerial survey boundary 30
Appendix 8. All five survey sites 31

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1.0 Introduction
Within Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, there are numerous areas of land either
currently owned or disused by the local steelworks. Some are earmarked for
development whilst others have laid dormant for decades. These sites take on an
appearance of a waste ground, commonly known as brownfield. If these sites
exceed an area larger than 0.25ha they are classified, by the Joint Nature
Conservation Committee (JNCC) as Open Mosaic Habitats on Previously Developed
Land (OMH) (UK BAP, 2010). OMH are often overlooked and can harbour an
abundance of different species of flora and fauna (UK BAP, 2010), they are also
home to species which have a threatened population (UK BAP, 2010), one such
species being the northern lapwing Vanellus vanellus (Kamp et al, 2014). The
population of V. vanellus across Britain and Europe has declined causing the bird to
be included into the IUCN red list (JNCC, 2010), mainly due to loss and
fragmentation of their habitat (Shrubb, 2007 and Tucker et al 1994). V. vanellus
have suffered many problems caused by humans over time, from egg collecting in
the 19th century to intensive farming and agricultural practices such as the use of
pesticides and rapid crop rotations (Shrubb, 2007 and Tucker et al 1994). An ideal
habitat would have been large areas of wetland and grassland (Shrubb, 2007 and
Tucker et al 1994), but due, largely to farming and grazing, these areas are now
seldom found, agriculture now accounts for almost 75% of land use in the UK (Khan
and Powell, 2012). V. vanellus has had to adapt and is now classified as a farmland
bird, as the crops sown mimic the swards of grass required for nesting, also grazing
pastures offer the type of sward height preferred by V. vanellus (Tucker et al, 1994).
The government now recognises that farming is required to be sympathetic to
species which rely on this habitat for roosting, breeding and foraging sites. Land
owners are now encouraged to harvest outside the bird breeding season, leave
fields fallow and sow beneficial crops such as wild bird mixes, they are rewarded
with government sponsored stewardships and wildlife benefits (Natural England,
2015). Other beneficial practises include the re-wetting of previously drained flood
plains, such as the Alkbourough Flats project, which provide the habitat required to
help encourage wading birds (Environment Agency, 2009).
This study has come to light through year round observations of V. vanellus
occupying Scunthorpe’s OMH sites, it will compare populations V. vanellus found on

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OMH to that found on preferred habitat of wetland and farmland. An original project
proposal included monitoring fledging success on OMH, but this would have been
unachievable to an unlicensed surveyor due to the possibility of creating disturbance
to the protected species, they will now be measured on populations from an
acceptable distance.

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2.0 Literature review
It is difficult to discover papers on this exact study in the UK but there has been a
recent study in Germany, Kamp et al (2014) also points out that there is very little
data or papers produced on such a subject, he monitored V. vanellus nest
productivity and populations on brownfield sites and concluded that although
populations are not comparable, they are significant enough to include in
conservation work. Kamp et al (2014) recommends that neglected land may prove
useful to include as marginal areas outside of conservation sites, but as Kamp et al
(2014) points out, much more information and data is required to back up these
claims, sadly this paper is not entirely accessible due to availability and translation
issues. Regardless of the lack of papers on this project, V. vanellus are a well-
studied species and there are papers which can aid to this particular project. The
Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) (1994) published an in-depth paper
regarding V. vanellus ecology and conservation concerns and is brought together by
many independent researchers. The paper is very detailed and it covers many
aspects of the bird’s life. A large emphasis is made on the impact of farming on the
red-listed V. vanellus and the findings have contributed to the introduction of farming
stewardships which reward farmers and land owners to act sympathetically towards
V. vanellus needs. To the papers credit, many of the ideas put forward twenty years
ago are now commonly practiced by land owners and farmers (Natural England,
2015), however the paper largely overlooks the importance of brownfield or OMH
sites. In the large dossier there is only a brief mention of what the JNCC describe as
“rough pasture”, a disused airfield in Wiltshire held a large V. vanellus population in
which factors such as clutch size, fledging success and birds per hectare were
monitored. Further along in the paper the said factors are displayed in a table
alongside V. vanellus data collected from their usual habitats of grassland, pasture
and farmland. In comparison the disused airfield fairs very well, indeed better when
it came to hatching success rates, a result of 77.9% overshadowed grassland,
pasture, meadow, rough grazing, farmland, arable and tillage habitats. The disused
airfield also had comparable mean clutch size, fledging success and nest
productivity, all positive outcomes, but at the time there was a lack of further studies
until the JNCC placed more emphasis around OMH in 2008. Baines (1994) carried
out a study similar to this subject regarding the breeding success and distribution of

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V. vanellus on marginal farmland, he compared areas of improved and unimproved
grassland and pastures and measured for difference in clutch sizes, invertebrate
availability and predation. Although the outcome is not significant for this study, it
helped to decide which statistical test to use and the main threats faced by V.
vanellus away from a direct farmland habitat. Milsom (1994) produced a study
beneficial to this regarding V. vanellus habitat selection during the non-breeding
season, he principally studied the birds on Lasham airfield in Hampshire as the flock
were causing dangers to aircraft. What he discovered was how adaptable the birds
are regarding habitat selection, within the period of study he watched the feeding
flock seasonally move from the freshly mown aerodrome to non-arable habitat during
the summer for refuge and for moulting, arable land during autumn and grassland in
the winter. He concluded that outside the breeding season a variety of habitats are
important to V. vanellus. Milsoms study showed the bird’s variety and adaptations
indicate why an OMH may be an important one.
Additionally, whilst studying V. vanellus chicks, Beintema and Visser (1994)
discovered that they actively exploit cow-dung pats for various larvae and dung
beetles. This has relevance to this current study as two of the OMH’s involved are
regularly fly-grazed, begging the question of whether fly-grazing is actually
beneficial.
Pearson and Stoate (1994) carried out a predation study on V. vanellus which
involved comparing nest predation, they involved the Game Conservancy Trust to
control one site and compared this to an uncontrolled site over a four year period.
The study concluded that a 61% decrease in nest predation occurred on the
controlled site, this is a positive outcome for V. vanellus but the study has little
information regarding the difference in the sites used.
The red fox Vulpes vulpes is a regular predator of V. vanellus (Shrubb, 2007),
Seymour et al (2003) considered the effects of incidental predation by V. vulpes
depending on the size of reserves on the Lower Derwent Valley. This study may be
relevant as they concluded that V. vulpes predated nests more frequently in patches
ranging from 1ha to 10ha. This factor may be influential to the sites chosen,
especially Glebe Pit.

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In light of the predation risks, a study carried out in Sweden by Isaksson, Wallander
and Larsson (2006) considered the use of nest exclosures. They chose V. vanellus
and redshank Tringa totanus as their subjects. Thirty-seven exclosures were placed
on V. vanellus nests and all were accepted and occupied. The exclosures had a
positive impact on V. vanellus, the protected nests had a significantly higher rate of
hatching success and daily survival rates of chicks compared to that of unprotected
nests, additionally no adult V. vanellus were predated on. This paper suggests that
V. vanellus could be more successful with the introduction of nest exclosures on
OMH sites.
3.0 Aims and Hypothesis
By comparing populations of V. vanellus on OMH sites to that of their ideal habitat, it
is anticipated that more can be learnt about breeding habitat requirements of this
red-listed species.
Hypothesis: V. vanellus populations on OMH sites are comparable to that of their
ideal habitats of wetland and farmland
Null Hypothesis: V. vanellus populations on OMH sites are not comparable to that of
their ideal habitats of farmland and wetland.
4.0 Methodology
4.1 Subjects
4.1.1 Northern lapwing Vanellus vanellus are an easily recognisable species of
wading bird, making them an ideal subject for this study. From a distance they
appear solely black and white in colouring but up close they carry a green and purple
iridescence (Shrubb, 2007 and Tucker et al 1994). When in flight their large, broad
rounded wings, during the breeding season behaviours such as the male’s distinct
tumbling dive and the swooping of potential predators are familiar sites across the
country. Their call, described as “peewit” is regularly used as an alternative name
for the bird by keen birdwatchers (Shrubb, 2007 and Tucker et al 1994).

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They belong to plover family, Charadriidae and are seen year round, commonly on
agricultural land and wetland throughout its annual cycle (Shrubb, 2007 and Tucker
et al 1994). They have become an adaptable species and can be found amongst
most habitats (Shrubb, 2007 and Tucker et al 1994). V. vanellus are 28-31cm in
height, 230g in weight, have a wingspan of 84cm and a lifespan of 4–5 years
(Shrubb, 2007 and Tucker et al 1994).
V. vanellus can be observed in large flocks during winter but when spring comes
they disperse, some to further Europe some stay on mainland UK and begin
breeding (Shrubb, 2007 and Tucker et al 1994). The breeding season is late
February to early July, chicks are produced during late spring, the nests are simple
scrapes on bare ground within short swards of vegetation, preferably less than 10cm
in height with few or no tussocks (Durant et al, 2008). A typical nest density usually
consist of two nests per hectare (Shrubb, 2007 and Tucker et al 1994).
The adults are surface-feeding, consuming a year-round source of invertebrates
from marshy short grassland, their diet includes earthworms, beetle larvae and they
have a preference for crane fly Tipulidae sp. larvae (Shrubb, 2007 and Tucker et al
1994). Adults are known to take their chicks long distances from the nest to forage
(Shrubb, 2007 and Tucker et al 1994).
Data from the Breeding Bird Survey and Common Bird Census trends show V.
vanellus have suffered a 51% decline over 25 years (JNCC, 2010), thus the reason
they appear on the Red Listed Species Birds of Conservation Concern and have
become a Priority Species in the UK BAP (JNCC, 2014).
4.1.2 OMH
In 2009 brownfield sites were given the status of Open Mosaic Habitats on
Previously Developed Land following a study by DEFRA into the importance such
areas (UK BAP, 2010), they are difficult to assess due to the variation of vegetation
found. To achieve its status the UK BAP (2010) state the criteria required for a site
to be a designated an OMH must:
 Be at least 0.25ha in size
 Have a history of disturbance and spoil

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 Contain some successional vegetation
 Have areas of loose, bare substrate and pools may be present
 Show spatial variation of successional vegetation
OMH can be important habitats, 12-15% of nationally rare and scarce species are
recorded at brownfield sites (JNCC, 2011) and they provide important nesting
suitability for threatened species such as the little ringed plover Charadrius dubius
(JNCC, 2011). A publication by Natural England (2013) also examined the
importance of creating valuable habitat requirements on OMH. In particular they
suggested the creation of more areas of short swards of vegetation and that the
addition of pools on development land would be beneficial in aiding the breeding
facilities of V. vanellus.
4.2 Equipment
To ensure minimum disturbance, the birds were surveyed and recorded using a
scope from distance.
4.3 Procedure
An assessment made by Bolton et al (2011) concluded that estimates for breeding
pairs and chick success for V. vanellus can be considered through simple field
counts. Five sites have been monitored for thirty minutes each on the same day
once a week during February to June, coinciding with V. vanellus breeding period.
All behaviours of V. vanellus are included in the population and care is taken not to
duplicate birds, this is why the count lengths will be short. This way of monitoring
has previously been used by the BTO to monitor wading birds (including V. vanellus)
nest success in relation to predation (BTO, 2014) and the JNCC (2004) recommend
a standard Wetland Bird Survey to assess populations.

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4.4 Statistics
The data from the three OMH sites will be compared to that of the two usual habits
using t-test to determine if the two sets of data are significantly different from each
other.
4.5 Sites
The area which this particular study takes place is an important one for V. vanellus,
this is confirmed by a Shrubb and Lack (1991) study of V. vanellus abundance and
distribution. The Yorkshire and the Humber had an estimated total of 24’095 birds,
accounting for 19.5% of the country’s population at that time. The sites chosen for
comparison are three OMH sites and two ideal habitats of farmland and wetland.
The OMH sites have been chosen because they have supported V. vanellus
populations in the past, they are all sites formerly occupied by the steelworks
industry and but are now owned by North Lincolnshire Council and have been
recognised by their ecologist as potential ecologically important areas.
4.5.1 OMH sites
Glebe Pit
Size: 8ha, Grid Ref: SE 89652 12022
A former ironstone quarry, now infilled, it consists of low-lying scrub, a mix of poor
grassland, wildflower and water pools, it is bounded by industrial and suburban
buildings and dense low-lying scrub. See appendix 4 for aerial image and survey
boundary.
Moat Road
This area has been earmarked as a corridor to connect two nearby local nature
reserves Phoenix Parkway and Atkinsons Warren. This former slag dump consists
of rough grassland, three sizable ponds, many pools and is surrounded by broad-
leaved woodland and dense scrub. See appendix 3 for aerial image and survey
boundary.

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Conesby Quarry
This area is also a former ironstone quarry and has remained unmanaged since the
1960’s, there are large areas of poor grassland and scrub which descend to large
ponds at the bottom of a former pit. See appendix 2 for aerial image and survey
boundary.
All three sites are not mapped as priority habitats on the government tool MagicMap
(see appendix 5 for non-recognition of habitat) but they are noted as areas for where
V. vanellus are found as well as other BAP priority species snipe Gallinago gallinago,
grey partridge Perdix perdix and the tree sparrow Passer montanus.
4.5.2 Ideal Habitats
Bagmoor Farm
Bagmoor Farm has all the hallmarks of farmland which practices sympathetically to
farmland birds, it has Higher Level Stewardships in place and is regularly grazed by
cattle. Bagmoor also has a large disused ironstone mine which has filled with water,
the area is ideal as it provides many nesting and foraging opportunities. This site
was chosen due to the British Trust for Ornithology carrying out Wetland Bird
Surveys in the area, available data shows a consistent population of V. vanellus as
well as many other water birds. The area is private land, but access for this study
had been granted by the landowner. A Magicmap desktop study revealed that the
area is important for V. vanellus as well as other priority bird species grey partridge
Perdix perdix, redshank Tringa totanus and the tree sparrow Passer montanus. See
appendix 6 for aerial image and survey boundary.
Alkborough Flats
The flats are an expansive area near the Humber estuary covering approximately
990 acres, it consists of former farmland which recently had its flood defences

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breached to benefit wildlife in a project run by Natural England and the Environment
Agency, it is now identified as a coastal and floodplain grazing marsh. Monitoring
the entire site would be too time consuming, so a chosen area of 71ha grazed by
hebridean sheep adjacent to the River Trent will be monitored, the site is easily
accessible. Many of the now flooded areas provide nesting and foraging habitats
such as reed beds, intertidal, grassland and lagoons, all important habitats for
wading birds. The site is noted by Magicmap as being an important place for V.
vanellus, snipe Gallinago gallinago, curlew Numenius arquata, turtle dove
Streptopelia turtur, yellow wagtail Motacilla flava and tree sparrow Passer montanus.
V. vanellus are noted by Catley (2016) as being a constant presence on the flats and
can be seen in their thousands at times on the site. See appendix 7 for aerial image
and survey boundary.
See appendix 8 for the location of all five sites on one map.
5.0 Results
t-test = -3.711200079190046 (see appendix 1. for raw data)
In this case the T value is less, meaning the pairs are significantly different resulting
in the null hypothesis: the populations on the OMH sites are not comparable to that
of wetland and farmland.
Figure 1. V. vanellus sightings by month

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Figure 2. Average sightings per visit
Figure 3. Birds per hectare

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Figure 4. Average population per site
6.0 Discussion
Glebe Pit has in previous years had sizeable populations, but the presence of one
single bird was disappointing. Still, it was possible to grasp what threats V. vanellus
faces in a suburban OMH, red fox Vulpes vulpes, stoat Mustela erminea, domestic
cat Felis catus, magpie Pica pica and carrion crow Corvus corone were observed
frequently and all pose predation risks to V. vanellus, their eggs and their fledged
chicks. The surrounding buildings and established scrub ensures the prey have the
cover and perches they require causing them to be a constant problem. The site is
fenced but not inaccessible so human disturbance is also a problem through dog
walking. The lone male could be seen almost constantly swooping at threats which
came close to its nest. There was also an absence of foraging opportunities due to a
lack of pools which are usually present. The site would benefit from scrub clearance
until it is ready for development and although it is a contentious subject, fly-grazing
may benefit this site, other nearby development areas are fly-grazed and show a
healthier bird population. The two other OMH sites fared better, possibly due to size
and lack of buildings, it also mirrors he results of Seymour et al (2003) suggesting
that nest predation is greater on sites less than 10ha in size. There were ample
foraging opportunities and very little predator activity was observed on these OMH

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sites, but whilst surveying the Conesby Quarry site it was obvious that predation is
also a problem, as on two occasions damaged and discarded V. vanellus eggs were
discovered (see figure 5). V. vanellus may benefit from an exclosure trial on
Conesby Quarry as is it experiences very little human disturbance. Other beneficial
management practises on all the OMH sites could include excavating more shallow
scrapes to aid foraging, invertebrate surveys to determine prey availability and
warning signs to inform the public about nesting birds and keeping their dogs on a
lead. There is also the option of controlling predators but this raises ethical
questions and would require more research.
Figure 5. Signs of egg predation on Conesby Quarry.
There is an argument that the Glebe Pit site should not be included but it is an OMH
and it reflects the fluctuations that can happen from site to site.
This particular study suffers a distinct lack of papers and research so it is difficult to
compare results and year on year bird populations fluctuate. This project may
require more than one seasons surveying, a similar study along the same subject
may acquire better results over a longer time span and across more seasons and
there are many more areas in this locality which would add to the current collected
data, this would help to understand how OMH plays a part in V. vanellus lifecycle.
Additionally OMH may not harbour comparable populations but it could help play a
part in helping to widen the gene pool of red-listed species.

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There is a lot of focus surrounding sympathetic farming and re-wetting areas but
there is not enough protection for OMH, whilst monitoring the sites many threatened
or scarce species were observed and it is a habitat which may provide a corridor to
the more ideal habitats. Higher Level Stewardships could maybe offer grants for
other practises such as trialling the use of exclosures.

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7.0 Conclusion
Although the result differs largely in favour of wetland and farmland habitats, all three
OMH sites do display a regular presence of V. vanellus. OMH appears to have
become a part of their ecology and these sites are proving that they are not just
important to the species. Although these sites have their flaws they can be managed
by landowners, through simple techniques to improve the quality of habitat required
by V. vanellus. OMH sites may not be the preferred habitats, but all three of the
OMH sites in this study may benefit from the practises such as managing sward
height, scrub clearance and pool creation. Additionally predation can have a less
detrimental effect through trialling exclosures or ethical control.
Word Count: 3584

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8.0 References
Baines, D. (1994) Factors determining the breeding success of lapwings Vanellus
vanellus on marginal farmland in northern England. The ecology of lapwings
Vanellus vanellus. Ed .G. M. Tucker., S. M. Davies and R. J. Fuller, 41-42.
Peterborough, JNCC [online] Available at:
<http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/pdf/Ecology_and_conservation_of_lapwings_Vanellus_vane
llus_(Body)_PRINT.pdf> [Accessed 12/11/2015]
Beintema, A. and Visser, G. (1994) Factors affecting growth and survival of lapwing
Vanellus vanellus chicks. Ed .G. M. Tucker., S. M. Davies and R. J. Fuller, 39-40.
Peterborough, JNCC [online] Available at:
Bolton, M., Bamford, R., Blackburn, C., Cromarty, J., Eglington, S., Ratcliffe, N.,
Sharpe, F., Stanbury, A. & Smart, J. (2011). Assessment of simple survey methods
to determine breeding population size and productivity of a plover, the Northern
Lapwing Vanellus vanellus. Wader Study Group Bulletin, 118: 141-152. [online]
Available at:
<https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259192870_Assessment_of_simple_surv
ey_methods_to_determine_breeding_population_size_and_productivity_of_a_plover
_the_Northern_Lapwing_Vanellus_vanellus> [Accessed 08/11/2015]
BTO (2014) BTO Research Report No. 651: Towards a better understanding of
predation on breeding meadowbird populations. Phase1, Year 2: Monitoring wader
nest success in relation to predation at Stanny House Farm [online] Available at:
<https://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/shared_documents/publications/research-
reports/2014/rr651.pdf> [Accessed 8/12/2015]
Catley, G. (2016) Alkbourough Flats Monthly Wildife Report 2016 – February [online]
Available at: <http://www.alkboroughandwalcot.org.uk/resources/nr1602.pdf>
[Accessed 14/3/2016]
Durant, D., Tichit, M., Fritz, H., and Kerneis, E. (2008) Field occupancy by breeding
lapwings Vanellus vanellus. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 128: 146-150
[Science Direct]

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Isaksson, D., Wallander, J. and Larsson, M. (2006) Managing predation on ground
nesting birds: The effectiveness of nest exclosures. Biological Conservation 136:
136-142 [Science Direct]
Environment Agency (2009) Flooding in England: A National Assessment of Flood
Risk [online] Available at:
<https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/2929
28/geho0609bqds-e-e.pdf> [Accessed 08/11/2015]
JNCC (2004) Common Standards Monitoring Guide for Birds [online] Available at:
<http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/pdf/CSM_birds_incadditionalinfo.pdf> [Accessed
14/11/2015]
JNCC (2010) UK Priority Species Data Collection Vanellus vanellus Version 2
[online] Available at: <http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/_speciespages/2687.pdf> [Accessed
8/1/2016]
JNCC (2011) UK Biodiversity Action Plan; Priority Habitat Descriptions [online]
Available at: <http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/PDF/UKBAP_PriorityHabitatDesc-
Rev2011.pdf> [Accessed 5/5/2015]
JNCC (2014) UK BAP priority bird species [online] Available at:
<http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-5163> [Accessed 8/1/2016]
Kamp, J., Pelster, A., Gaedicke, L., Karthäuser, J., Dieker, P., Mantel, K., (2014)
High nest survival and productivity of Northern Lapwings Vanellus vanellus breeding
on urban brownfield sites. Journal of Ornithology, 156 (1) (2014), pp. 179–190
[online] Availabe at: <http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10336-014-1114-
0?wt_mc=alerts.TOCjournals#/ornithology> [Accessed 02/11/2015]
Khan, J. and Powell, T. (2012) Land Use in the UK [online] Available at:
<www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/user-guidance/well.../land-use-in-the-uk.pdf>
[Accessed 27/3/2016]

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Kiby, J. and Fuller, R. (1994) Winter distribution and habitat use by lapwings
Vanellus vanellus in the Vale of Ayelsbury Ed .G. M. Tucker., S. M. Davies and R. J.
Fuller, 54-55. Peterborough, JNCC [online] Available at:
Milsom, T. (1994) Trends in habitat selection by lapwings Vanellus vanellus during
the non-breeding season. The ecology of lapwings Vanellus vanellus Ed .G. M.
Tucker., S. M. Davies and R. J. Fuller, 45-46. Peterborough, JNCC [online] Available
at:
Natural England (2013) Mosaic Approach - Brownfield or Open Mosaic Habitat On
Previously Developed [online] Available at:
<Landhttp://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/file/5329469874110464> [Accessed
on 18/3/2016]
Natural England (2015) Environmental Stewardship: funding to farmers for
environmental land management[online] Available at:
<https://www.gov.uk/guidance/environmental-stewardship> [Accessed08/12/2015]
Pearson, B. and Stoate, C. (1994) Effects of predation and agriculture on a lapwing
V. vanellus population in southern England. The ecology of lapwings Vanellus
vanellus. Ed .G. M. Tucker., S. M. Davies and R. J. Fuller, 43-44. Peterborough,
JNCC [online] Available at:
Seymour, A.S., Harris, S. And White, P.C.L. (2003) Factors influencing the nesting
success of Lapwing Vanellus vanellus and behaviour of Red Fox Vulpes vulpes in
Lapwing nesting sites. Bird Study, 50: 39–46 [Science Direct]
Shrubb, M. (2007) The Lapwing London: T & AD Poyser

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Shrubb, M. and Lack, P (1991) The numbers and distribution of lapwings Vanellus
vanellus nesting in England and Wales in 1987. Bird Study, 38: 20-37
Tucker, G.M., Davies, S.M. & Fuller, R.J. (eds), (1994), The ecology and
conservation of lapwings Vanellus vanellus, JNCC Peterborough
UK BAP (2010) Open Mosaic Habitats on Previously Developed Land (ed. Ant
Maddock) [online] Available at: <http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/pdf/UKBAP_BAPHabitats-
40-OMH-2010.pdf> [Accessed 01/05/2016]

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Appendices
Appendix 1. Raw results and data used, yellow indicates data required for t-test.
Date Glebe
Pit
8ha
Moat
Road
45ha
Conesby
Quarry
36ha
Total
OMH
89ha
Bagmoor
Mines
13ha
Alkbourough
Flats
71ha
Total
ideal
84ha
Totals
173ha
7/2 0 2 0 2 31 44 75 77
14/2 0 4 0 4 8 6 14 18
21/2 0 1 0 1 0 28 28 29
28/2 0 0 3 3 3 26 29 32
6/3 0 0 2 2 4 15 19 21
13/3 1 0 2 3 3 8 11 14
20/3 0 1 0 1 0 18 18 19
27/3 1 1 1 3 27 7 34 37
3/4 0 1 1 2 0 9 9 11
10/4 0 2 1 3 0 4 4 7
17/4 0 1 1 2 0 8 8 10
24/4 1 2 1 4 4 6 10 14
1/5 1 2 2 5 0 17 17 22
8/5 1 2 2 5 0 1 1 6
15/5 0 1 1 2 3 4 7 9
22/5 0 1 3 4 0 0 0 4
29/5 0 2 1 3 1 1 2 5
5/6 0 2 0 2 0 4 4 6
12/6 0 0 0 0 0 16 16 16
19/6 0 0 3 3 2 6 8 11
26/6 0 1 1 2 2 14 16 18
Totals
21 visits 5 26 25 56 90 242 332 388
Average
birds per
visit
0.2 1.2 1.1 2.6 4.2 11.5 15.8 18.4
Birds per
ha
2.5 2.6 3 2.9 32.3 16.1 18.8
Total
percentage
of birds
1.2 6.7 6.4 23.1 62.3
Total per
habitat
2.6 15.8

25
Appendix 2. Conesby Quarry aerial OMH survey boundary

26
Appendix 3. Moat Road aerial OMH survey boundary

27
Appendix 4. Glebe Pit aerial OMH survey boundary

28
Appendix 5. The Magicmap habitat layer displaying the three OMH sites which contain no recorded priority habitats
Moat Road
ConesbyQuarry
Glebe Pit

29
Appendix 6. Bagmoor Farm aerial survey boundary

30
Appendix 7. Alkborough Flats aerial survey boundary

31
Appendix 8. All five survey sites
AlkboroughFlats
Bagmoor Farm
Moat Road
ConesbyQuarry
Glebe Pit

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