Teewhuppos
There’s an adult Lapwing calling near the farm track as we bobble along it. That’s odd because they normally just fly away. Beautiful, aren’t they? They’re a bird I saw in their hundreds in my childhood, with clouds of them over traditional fields in autumn, and families in fields in summer.
I knew them as Peewits then, but here in Orkney they’re known as Teewhuppos.
I’m wondering what it’s doing when we see why. It’s a chick, frozen on the spot, unable to move a muscle while its parent is calling in alarm.
I take a shot and then we move on, allowing them to be reunited. Nature is full of touching moments if you explore and let it into your heart.
More Lapwings
Lapwing in a field I've wanted to take a photograph of a Lapwing like this, but not like this, for years. As I drive… read more
Teeick I'm grateful to a Hooded Crow for rousing this Lapwing into a frenzy of protest. It's been circling, complaining, and… read more
Pee-wits and worm stroking A weekend trip to RSPB Lodmoor was good for the soul and it was great to catch up with my… read more
Grass Snakes, King Curlews and their Lapwing attendants Any patch of good weather means there's a chance of cutting hay for silage. The people of Westray have perfected… read more
The Second Ladybird book of British Birds #8 – The Lapwing Here’s a Lapwing in a Ladybird book from 1955. Is what it says still true? read more
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Lapwings displaying There are a few Lapwings flying around RSPB Greylake in Somerset today. These two drew a wonderful image in the… read more
Lapwing – forty years ago in my nature notebooks Today I'm in Exminster in Devon looking at a Lapwing across the sodden fields. read more