Short abstract from the book: The lapwing breeds in most parts of Denmark. The Danish
population has declined over the last 50 years. In Denmark
the first lapwing was ringed in 1911, with the majority ringed
in the 1950s and ’60s. The lapwing is the most frequently
ringed wader. Most of the recovered lapwings were ringed as
chicks.
Danish lapwings start their migration in September, and in
November the mean position is south of Denmark. The migration is directed SW. During autumn most have been recovered
in Britain (40 %), France (32 %) and Spain (14 %), and
during winter in western France (44 %) Spain (30 %) and
Great Britain (12 %). Eighteen birds have been recovered in
North Africa, most in December and January. During winter birds from eastern Denmark have in general been found
further south than birds from Jutland, and young birds south
of older ones. The spring migration follows the same route.
The first birds return in early March and most have returned
by the end of April. Many lapwings return to their birthplace,
with 73 % recovered less than 20 km from the ringing site in
subsequent breeding periods. Passage migrants from Norway,
Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia and western Russia have
been found in Denmark, mainly in August–October.
The main known cause of death is hunting: 77 % of the
lapwings recovered in France have been shot, in Ireland 69 %,
Spain 68 %, Portugal 60 % and England 33 %.
Read more about the species in the chapter from The Danish Bird Migration Atlashere
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