Lifeline for Lapwings on Richardson’s Marsh

To construct a 2325m anti-predator fence around Richardson’s Marsh to protect the eggs and chicks of ground nesting birds, particularly lapwings, from predation by large mammals such as foxes. This will increase breeding productivity to sustainable levels.

Lapwings need to successfully fledge 0.6-0.8 chicks per pair per year to replace mortality in the adult population.

This site has traditionally yielded 0.0 to 0.1 chicks per pair per year, with the loss attributed to foxes – (evidenced by webcams and field observation). This intervention will create a fox free area of over 30 ha.