group of flyng lapwings
A couple of weeks ago, I was on call and had time only to call into the nature reserve on the way to work, to draw a page of lapwings. Last weekend, in the first sunshine for a long time, I walked a circuit of the reserve, finishing back at the hides. Week by week, the lapwings’ behaviour is shifting. They are becoming a bit more jealous of their space. They sit or fly off as a group and are collectively vocal too. I am waiting for the transition to their forming pairs, climbing and swooping low over the water, making their characteristic peewit calls as they fly. It is for this that I am practicing my lapwing sketches.
kestrelart 
The Masked Lapwings in our neck of the woods are extremely territorial when nesting. They will launch violent and prolonged attacks against any person or animal that gets too close to their nest.
So I had to turn to Wikipedia for this. They look strikingly similar but the Masked Lapwing has these yellow wattles no the face. But as you say, the strong defence of nesting sites is very prominent. I do see quite a lot of defensive behaviour in spring but will look out for more and document this. Right now, they happily share the land areas with herons, cormorants, crows and herring gulls, any of which would enjoy a meal of lapwing chick later in the year. Thanks for this – looking for the changes in behaviour gives a focus to the drawing.
I should state the obvious that there is a sketch on this page of a starling in flight and a feeding crow in addition to the lapwings.
The wash drawings are wonderful.
Many thanks
N
What a pleasure to view your drawings. Thanks for sharing. – Sharon
These pen and wash sketches are delightful.
I love your drawings – they capture the movement and action beautifully – I know how hard it is to do. 🙂
Hi Maxine
I always value comments, but I really appreciate yours. I admire your style: rapid drawings and watercolour capturing sporting drama. Thanks for dropping by.
Neil