Lapwings are a protected species as defined in the Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulations 2021. A permit is required to take or possess a masked lapwing or their products such as eggs.
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A masked lapwing leading its chick to safety
Lapwings in suburbia
Masked lapwings (more commonly known as plovers) are a native Tasmanian species and play an important role in our ecosystem. Whilst masked lapwings are shorebirds, they have adapted and made themselves at home in rural and suburban areas. During the breeding season lapwings will choose nesting sites that are quiet, predictable, have short grass, and 360-degree views of potential predators. Manicured suburban lawns, parks, and nature strips fit this description perfectly! Other places where you may find lapwings nesting include roundabouts, flat rooftops, sport ovals, beside busy roads, and on golf courses. If you see lapwings nesting in one of these spots do not stress or move the birds.
A masked lapwing nesting in the middle of a busy roundabout
If a lapwing has chosen to nest near you and is displaying aggressive behaviour, it is important to remember that this is because they are protecting their nest. The aggressive behaviour will subside after the eggs have hatched (around 30 days). If disturbed and the nest fails, the parents will attempt to breed in the same area until they are successful. Attempts to have a successful clutch will continue to be made up until the summer solstice (21st December), prolonging the territorial behaviour.
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A masked lapwing displaying its spurs to deter predators
Why lapwings have a bad reputation and how we can change it
Many people fear lapwings because of their swooping and loud calls during the breeding season. Next breeding season, consider implementing the tips and tricks on this page. If applied carefully you can live peacefully alongside the lapwings.
It can be incredibly rewarding to see your neighbourhood lapwings successfully lay, hatch and raise their chicks. If you have lapwings on your property consider putting flags up so neighbours know to look out for and avoid them when driving and walking past your house.
If you have children or are a budding field naturalist yourself, consider purchasing binoculars and observing the lapwings and their chicks while they grow. The chicks are very cute and it can be a rewarding project to sit and observe the chicks that you have helped to protect.
A juvenile masked lapwing
Why birds swoop
- Masked lapwings swoop because they are defending their eggs or young that are not capable of defending themselves from potential predators such as humans and dogs. Swooping is always accompanied by a loud threat call.
- Some pairs of lapwings also defend large mobile territories around chicks rather than just the immediate nest site. In these cases, attacks will usually reduce or cease in the greater territory after the eggs hatch and the chicks become mobile.
- The intensity of the swooping increases as the eggs mature and peaks when the chicks hatch. It then subsides within a couple of weeks as the chicks grow.
- Most swooping is a bluff. Contact is very rarely made (unlike Australian magpies on the mainland) and any collision is usually an 'over-commitment' by the bird, or caused by somebody throwing their arm into the path of the bird at the last minute. The closer you are to the eggs or chicks, the harder the adults will defend the area and the closer they will swoop.
- In order for the birds to swoop closely, they will usually come from behind you and use the sun as a camouflage.
Lapwing nest
Photo: Hans and Annie Wapstr
Do:
- Avoid the birds by choosing a different route on your walks, or giving them a wide berth.
- Travel in a group. Most birds only swoop individuals.
- Wear a hat. In extreme cases, painting or using pictures of large eyes on the back of a hat will deter the birds from swooping close to you.
- If you are having trouble exiting your house or attending your yard without being swooped, take an opened umbrella with you for protection.
- Hold a stick or flag above your head. A supply of decorated sticks with flags attached can be stocked where, for example, schoolchildren must cross swoop-prone open spaces.
- Cyclists should dismount and walk through the swoop-zone.
- Be predictable with your behaviour. Nesting birds will quickly become accustomed to, and tolerate, predictable behaviour. Walking along the same route every day can put the lapwings at ease.
- Flag off the area (5m radius) where the nest is located so that the nest is easily identifiable to others.
Do not:
- Panic or run. It may encourage lapwings to continue to swoop.
- Search for the nest or young.
- Remove eggs or destroy nests as the lapwings will continue to re-nest until they have a successful clutch.
- Harass, interfere, or throw objects at the birds. This will increase their aggressive behaviour. It also results in the sitting bird leaving the nest which may delay or prevent incubation of the eggs.
- Allow your dog to bark at and threaten the birds. This could increase the swooping behaviour.
Masked lapwing
Photo: Hans and Annie Wapstra
Deterring future nesting
Masked lapwings remain in the general area that they were hatched and will return to the same nesting sites year to year, especially if their previous eggs hatched successfully. If you do not want lapwings returning to your yard, consider implementing the following between this breeding season and the next (June is a good time to start using deterrents), or when you see the lapwings return to nest;
- Increase your presence in the yard so the lapwings feel less comfortable there. This needs to be on a regular daily basis starting in June until August.
- Try to block any clear sight lines and 360-degree views by putting out garden furniture or bins around the lawn and moving them every few days so the birds do not get comfortable.
- If you see them in the garden in late June/July go outside and gently shoo them away. If you have a dog, take it out on a lead, or let it out when the birds are not there so they know there is a predator in the area (unless your dog is likely to attempt to catch and kill the lapwings).
A masked lapwing nesting in a suburban garden
Lapwings on school grounds
Many schools come back from school holidays to find lapwings nesting on their ovals, lawns, or even roof tops. Masked lapwings like to nest here because it is relatively quiet, has short grass, and a 360-degree view of potential threats. Schools also provide a routine environment for the birds, where foot traffic and disturbances to them only occur at school drop off, lunch time, and school pick up. Additionally, school holidays perfectly line up with the lapwing breeding season.
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When will they hatch?
Eggs take approximately 30 days to hatch. Lapwings will often nest during school holidays, leaving only a couple of weeks until incubation once school returns.
Why you should not move the eggs
If there are lapwings on the school grounds the best approach is to try to allow the eggs to hatch. This will take approximately 28-30 days. If lapwings have nested during school holidays, then you probably only have 3 weeks of disturbance during the school term. If the eggs or chicks are removed, then the adults will attempt to breed and re-lay in their chosen area all the way up until late December. They will continue to do this until they have a successful clutch of eggs. 3-4 weeks of grief in July may save you from 6 months of pain!
How to stop aggressive behaviour
Many adult birds will respond positively to 'predictable' and repetitive human behaviour. Place a barrier around the nest (eg; witches hats or flagging tape) with a 10-20 metre diameter circle that people are excluded from. Blocking off one side of a footpath can also have the same affect. The lapwings will soon learn that people do not intend to come near them, reducing the intensity of their swooping behaviour.
How to deter future nesting
Increase activity (such as outdoor activities, bike tracks and grounds maintenance) on these sites during June. This should show the lapwings that their preferred nesting ground is not so ideal!
In some cases, it is better to leave the lapwings if they are not in the direct line of student activities. Trying to move the lapwings on could encourage them to nest in an even less ideal place (such as the middle of the oval instead of the sidelines).
Lapwings on the roof
Flat rooftops are a safe area for the birds to nest as there are perfect surround views. Lapwing chicks self-feed as soon as they hatch, however they are unable to fly. If there are no sources of food on the roof the chicks can starve, or fall off attempting to find food.
If you have Lapwings nesting on your roof that are causing issues, contact Wildlife Services using the below details for advice.
Preventing future nesting on flat roofs
- Spraying citronella oil on the roof may deter lapwings.
- Run fishing wire over the roof so that the parents cannot land.
- Install a fake 'predator' on the roof, such as an eagle kite or cat cut out. Moving parts can increase the effectiveness.
- Install bird spikes on your roof.
Masked lapwings attacking windows
Attacking windows and glass is a territorial display when a bird can see its reflection during the breeding season and thinks that the reflection is a competing male. Lapwings have been known to display this behaviour, but it is more commonly observed in currawongs and magpies.
There are several ways to reduce this from happening, the main principle being to stop the reflection in the glass or surface.
- Cover up the glass: You can break up reflections by leaving the glass dirty or by using decals and sun protectors. A car cover for cars is most effective, especially if your vehicle is particularly reflective.
- Use stick-on deflectors or shiny objects (like old CDs) to break up reflections and distract the bird: Shiny hanging objects are not always effective, but stick-on deflectors can work and are easy to apply.
- Close exterior shades and blinds: This is not always an effective solution as the issue will remerge if you need to open the shades or blind.
- Shade the window with an awning: This breaks up reflections but can be an expensive option.
- Cut out the shape of a bird of prey such as a hawk, falcon, or eagle, and stick it to the inside of the glass. If the bird thinks a predator is near the window (or its shadow) it may avoid the window.
- Create a 'temporary frosting' layer on the glass: Mix a supersaturated solution of Epsom salts in warm water and paint onto the bottom 30cm of the window. As it dries, it will provide a 'temporary frosting' (similar to what kids use on windows at Christmas time). Talk to a glazier and check whether this type of application will not permanently affect the reflective properties of the glass.
Injured and orphaned lapwings
There is a network of specialised and permitted rehabilitators available to rehabilitate and release these animals. If you find an injured or orphaned lapwing, please call Bonorong's 24 hour Wildlife Rescue Service on 0447 264 625.
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