Migrating Birds Arriving - Lapwings
Photos: Arne Ader
Translation: Liis from forum
Sheep and lapwing.
What business does the lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) in the photo have with the sheep? The lapwing probably hopes to find tasty insects near the animal, because this crested character is first of all an insect-eater. The lapwing feeds but then he travels on. Near the coast diligent birdwatchers have already noticed groups of lapwings arriving from more southern parts of Europe for some time. Now is an interesting time to observe how the shifting temperatures change the behaviour of the migrating birds. Somehow the migration seems to stumble and trip up again and again – in the warmth of the days the winged flocks move powerfully northwards, but when winter weather returns the flocks stop, or even turn back to an earlier location, if adverse snowy winds come on very strongly.
You can easily recognise the lapwing, because when the bird opens its beak calling “kii-vit” it tells its own name in Estonian - “kiivitaja”. And that fine crest of feathers crest on the head is also useful to keep a look-out for.
Lapwings.
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