Leucistic lapwing in South-east Worcestershire
Harry Green (Compiler)
From notes supplied by Rob Prudden and John Hodson
All the records below relate to very similar looking birds, perhaps the same individual, seen over a nine year period, or perhaps of several different birds from the same gene pool. There is no definite information on the average life span of Lapwings but the oldest recorded bird lived 21 years, 1 month and 15 days see BTO Bird Facts at http://blx1.bto.org/birdfacts/results/bob4930.htm. Many bird species occasionally produce leucistic forms which lack proper feather pigmentation and are usually partially or wholly pale buff in colour.
Records
Kemerton Lake Nature Reserve (NR) on 15th 21st, 24th, 26th and 27th September 2002.
Gwen Finch NR at Nafford on 1st August 2005.
Gwen Finch NR on 25th and 28th July 2008 then 11.8.08.
Wick on SE side of Pershore on 19th February 2009.
Gwen Finch NR on 1st and 3rd March 2009.
Gwen Finch NR 4th June 2009
Gwen Finch NR on 21st June 2010, 22nd July 2010 then 2nd, 22nd, 24th and 31st August 2010, then 8th September 2010 and 15th September 2010.
Lower Moor on 21st and 24th January 2011 with wintering flock of about 500 Lapwings.
Wick on SE side of Pershore - bird displaying over farmland with normal plumaged individual on 2nd April 2011.
Gwen Finch NR on 13th, 19th 26th and 28th May 2011.
Gwen Finch NR 21st June 2011.
John Bennett Reserve near Nafford, close to Gwen Finch NR, 12th July 2011.
Reference
BTO Bird Facts. http://blx1.bto.org/birdfacts/results/bob4930.htm. Accessed 31st December 2011.
Image
Fig. 1. Leucistic Lapwing at Gwen Finch reserve. ©John Hodson.
