About Conservation Status of Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus in Armenia

Abstract

Population monitoring of Northern Lapwing (NL) was conducted in Armenia during 2003–2019 and demonstrated that NL disappeared in three 10x10 km squares. The total AOO of NL is estimated as 496 km2 , the EOO, as 20,744 km2 . Estimation of national population in 2019 makes 860–1120 breeding pairs. In 2003-2019, the population trend showed a moderate decline (Wald-Test = 10.47, df = 15, p = 0.7891; Overall slope model: Additive = -0.0128, SE = 0.0052, Multiplicative = 0.9873, SE = 0.0052; p < 0.05). The observed decrease makes -26% during 17 years (-1.53% per annum), the estimated decrease makes -43% during 27 years (three generations of NL). The hunting pressures NL via exceeding the daily bag limits, and by shooting NL, when prohibited. The State Inspection has a difficulty in controlling the hunting and poaching being understaffed and underfinanced. In livestock husbandry, the number of NL decreases with an increase of cattle (R2 = 0.425, F1,15 = 11.079, p = 0.005), most probably due to increased mowing. Currently NL qualifies for Armenian Red List as Vulnerable A2bc + B2abv + C1. To protect NL, the current candidate Emerald Sites should become official ones protected by Bern Convention, the current public hunting lands should be excluded from Emerald Sites, and current agricultural practices should be reviewed, changing the way of machinery mowing. The mechanism of hunting licencing should include strict hunters’ exam. The State Inspection should start cooperation with hunters’ unions. The continued monitoring of NL remains essential.