Bilzen-Hoeselt (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – `In Bilzen-Hoeselt, local farmers and Joke Rumen urge people to leash dogs in spring (April–June) to protect vulnerable lapwing nests and chicks in fields, ensuring species survival.
As VRT News reported, in Bilzen-Hoeselt, a municipality in the province of Limburg, Belgium, the local authorities are asking people to keep their dogs on a leash in fields and grasslands to protect the lapwings. Rumen from the Regional Landscape Haspengouw and Voeren wants dog owners to be careful during spring and early summer. They mentioned that dogs off their leashes can be a big problem. They can scare away the adult birds, leaving the nests and chicks alone.
According to officials, dogs can also step on or affect the baby birds. If the young birds get chased, they might get lost and die. Even friendly dogs can cause trouble. That’s why dog owners should keep their dogs on a leash near fields and roads where lapwings live. This helps protect the lapwings and the environment, so these birds can stay in the area.
Will Bilzen’s Lapwings survive with Rumen and Farmers’ help?
In Bilzen-Hoeselt, lapwings are doing better than in many other places. This is because local farmers are helping. The local government of Bilzen gave farmers advice on how to help the birds in spring.
The advice included waiting to plow fields so they don’t affect the nests or chicks. They also told farmers to be careful around the nests and change when they mow or spray. Because of this, people have already seen lapwing nests with chicks for the birds.
The local government wants people to be extra careful. Joke Rumen says that even though farmers are helping, other things can still affect the nests. People and dogs can scare the birds away and destroy the nests.
To help, signs have been put up near the fields. The signs tell people they are in a breeding area and to stay on the paths and keep dogs on a leash. The municipality hopes that everyone will do their part to make sure the chicks survive and grow up.
The lapwing is a bird that lives in open areas like fields. It builds its nest right on the ground. The bird makes a small dip in the earth for its eggs, using camouflage for protection. Lapwings usually lay eggs in April and May. The eggs hatch in May or June, after about a month.
The baby birds, or chicks, start looking for food right away. Officials mentioned that these chicks are in danger because they can be eaten by other animals. They can also be hurt by farm tools or people. The chicks wander around, so they are always at risk.
