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Really early spring is an exciting time when everything is starting to get together, calling, mating and generally chasing around. Lapwings fly about in a grand display as a way to show how fit and strong they are, but also to chase things out of their territory. Lapwings nest on the ground and have a small patch of land which they protect fiercely against other lapwings, and often other birds and animals as well. The peewit is the local name for the lapwing, describing the call they make. The lapwing is one of the first birds to be up in the air calling once predators come too near - working together with other ground nesting birds as sentinels to protect each others’ young. Just before Springwatch went on air in 2008, hatching lapwing chicks were caught on camera, and are now growing up quick.