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For most of the day the flock of 200 to
300 lapwings occupies the middle of the large field of
sprouting winter wheat in a solid phalanx. The birds stand,
close together, all facing in one direction. Once in a
while, they take-off, circle with characteristic twinkling
wing-beats and land back in the same place. Why? Perhaps
they are trying to keep warm! More likely, something has
spooked them.
I have noticed that flocks have regular
roosting places in the fields. I do not know why. Perhaps
there is a slight hollow giving a little shelter or a
difference in the condition of the surface. The lapwings go
elsewhere to feed but, occasionally, I notice that they are
spread out, facing in all directions, as if they have
scattered at random across the field. Rather than standing
with hardly a movement, they are now advancing in short
dashes, then pausing with head cocked. They are feeding and
obviously finding something to eat among the regimented
lines of green shoots. Once in a while, something is spotted
and a lapwing tip-tilts forward and seizes it, but I do not
think there can be much on this intensively-cultivated
ground.
The lapwings will be looking for worms
and insects on the surface which are seized before they have
time to retreat underground. The flock spreads out so that
the birds do not interfere with each other. There is no
point covering ground where another lapwing has just sent
all the food hurrying to safety.
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