Swiss First: Fenced Nesting Site Aims to Save Endangered Northern Lapwing

A First Permanent, But Fenced, Oasis for Lapwings in Switzerland

The Seeland region of Switzerland is now home to a unique conservation effort: a permanently fenced breeding ground for the European lapwing, Vanellus vanellus. This initiative, a first for the country, aims to protect the vulnerable bird from predators and bolster its dwindling population, but too raises questions about the balance between intervention and natural biodiversity.

The lapwing, a striking wading bird, has experienced a dramatic decline in Switzerland. Once numbering over a thousand breeding pairs in the 1970s, the population plummeted to just 83 by 2005 and even disappeared entirely from the Three Lakes region. The primary drivers of this decline, according to Lucas Lombardo, head of the lapwing conservation project at Birdlife Switzerland, were agricultural changes. “They disappeared because we started draining all the fields that used to be real marshes here,” Lombardo explained, transforming them into arable land. Further intensification of agriculture, with larger and heavier machinery, exacerbated the problem.

This new fenced area, covering approximately six hectares, represents a significant attempt to reverse this trend. The land, provided by a local farmer, was already prone to flooding during heavy rains, making it a suitable location for recreating the lapwing’s preferred habitat: wet, muddy ground rich in invertebrates. “We create small flooded areas, perfect for lapwings and especially for chicks,” Lombardo added.

A History of Decline and a Focused Recovery Effort

The story of the lapwing’s decline in Switzerland is a stark illustration of the impact of human activity on wildlife. As detailed in a BirdLife Switzerland press release from March 11, 2025, the Grand Marais region once hosted nearly 300 lapwing breeding pairs – more than are found across the entire country today (approximately 200 pairs). The species faced near-extinction by 2005, vanishing as a breeding bird from the Grand Marais altogether.

BirdLife Switzerland launched a conservation project a decade ago, focused on restoring suitable habitat. This involved pumping water from drainage canals into the designated area using solar-powered pumps. The project also incorporates grazing by Highland cattle, whose hoof action helps to churn up the soil, exposing food sources for the lapwings. This multi-faceted approach has already shown promise, with the Grand Marais now supporting one of Switzerland’s three largest lapwing colonies, boasting around 35 breeding pairs. You can learn more about BirdLife Switzerland’s operate at their website.

The Fence: A Necessary Evil?

While the habitat restoration is crucial, a persistent threat remained: foxes, which prey on lapwing eggs. Previous attempts to deter foxes with temporary plastic fencing proved ineffective, with most nests being raided. This led to the installation of the permanent metal mesh fence, costing around 80,000 Swiss francs, funded by Birdlife and donors.

The fence has sparked debate, with some questioning the ethics of confining a wild bird within an artificial barrier. But, Lombardo stresses that the birds remain free to come and go. “The birds are, of course, totally free, when returning from their migration, to come and nest here. But it seems the conditions suit them, since they are coming.”

Beyond the Lapwing: A Broader Conservation Context

The situation with the lapwing highlights a broader challenge in modern conservation: the increasing need for artificial interventions in heavily modified landscapes. As Raphaël Arlettaz, a professor of conservation biology at the University of Bern, points out, “In our world, the problem is that everything is becoming anthropized… The only solutions we can implement in systems where we continue to exploit are measures that have an artificial side.”

Arlettaz suggests that the ideal solution would be to restore natural water flows and wetlands, creating a paradise for lapwings and other wetland species. However, he acknowledges that such large-scale restoration is “totally utopian” in the current context.

What’s Next for Lapwing Conservation in Switzerland?

BirdLife Switzerland hopes this project will serve as a model for similar initiatives across the country. The organization emphasizes the importance of sharing knowledge and avoiding unnecessary duplication of effort. Successful conservation, they argue, requires a synergistic approach, combining water restoration, appropriate land management, grazing, and predator control.

The potential impact of this project is significant. Lombardo estimates that if they can successfully raise 50 to 70 young lapwings at this site, it would represent nearly half of all the chicks expected to fledge across Switzerland. This demonstrates the potential for targeted conservation efforts to make a real difference for a species on the brink.

The story of the lapwing in Switzerland is a reminder of the complex challenges facing biodiversity in a rapidly changing world. While artificial interventions like fencing may be necessary in the short term, the long-term goal must be to restore and protect natural habitats, ensuring a sustainable future for all species. For more information on the European lapwing, you can visit Oiseaux.ch. You can also view a related report from RTS Découverte here.