Włodzimierz Meissner, Arkadiusz Sikora, Jacek Antczak, Sebastian Guentzel
Ornis Polonica 2011, 52: 181–195
https://doi.org/10.12657/ornis.2011.3.2
Abstract: Following the first survey in 2003, in autumn 2008, Lapwings and Golden Plovers were counted in Poland. In October (282 sites surveyed), nearly 120 thousands of Lapwings and 52.6 thousands of Golden Plovers were counted, while respective numbers in November (151 sites surveyed) were 28.8 and 22.8 thousands. Both species were most numerous in northern Poland, where 64% and 79% of Lapwings and 81% and 92% of Golden Plovers were found. Lapwings most often were observed in flocks of 101–500 birds in both months, but the median flock size decreased from 400 in October to 112 in November. Flock size of Golden Plovers decreased from 215 (median) in October to 82.5 in November, and more smaller flocks were seen during the latter count. Flocks consisting of two species made up 24% of all in October and 65% in November; in most of them Lapwing was more numerous than Golden Plover. Lapwings were most often recorded on plowed lands, winter corns and bottoms of various water bodies, while Golden Plovers were found predominantly on winter corns. During October count, 5–11% of north European Golden Plover population and 2% of European Lapwing population were recorded in Poland, what indicates that Poland provides important stopover sites for both species.
