Rare ground-nesting birds seen at hidden reserve

Two lapwing chicks have been spotted a hidden nature reserve in Derby after efforts to create new habitats at the site.

Over the winter, work was carried out to turn the site, located between Derby County's Pride Park stadium and the River Derwent, into a breeding spot for a number of ground-nesting birds.

Environmental consultancy Cura Terrae, which worked on the reserve alongside Derby City Council, said experts there had seen two fledgling lapwings.

Common snipe, wheatears and linnets have all been seen at the reserve in 2026, they added.

As part of the work to develop the site, known as the Sanctuary Bird and Wildlife Reserve, workers created lapwing plots featuring short vegetation and bare ground, gravel areas composed of shingle for plovers and permanent water pools.

They also created wader scrapes which are shallow features with soft, muddy edges that periodically retain water, creating "valuable feeding and nesting habitat".

According to the RSPB, the numbers of lapwings in the UK have declined by 55% since the 1960s, partially due to changes in agriculture.

The birds have a "red" conservation status, which is given to any species that has had a rapid population decrease of 50% or more.

Iain Weston, head of habitats at Cura Terrae, said: "As ground‑nesting and wading birds continue to decline across the UK due to habitat loss and disturbance, initiatives like The Sanctuary aren't just welcome - they're urgent.

"Our team designs and builds habitats precisely around protected species' needs, from the right structure and hydrology to carefully selected native plants that deliver cover and food at the critical moments of the breeding cycle.

"It's brilliant to see that within months of completion, the space has come alive this spring - with birds moving in, breeding, establishing territories, and successfully raising chicks on site, strengthening its role as a biodiversity hub in the region."

The Sanctuary Bird and Wildlife Reserve is one of the city's 10 designated local nature reserves, and it is Derby's first bird reserve, having been established in 2004.

Ndukwe Onuoha, Derby City Council's cabinet member for streetpride, parks and leisure, said: "This project creates a vital urban refuge designed to aid the recovery of threatened bird species, ensuring Derby's natural spaces actively serve as thriving breeding grounds and essential migratory stopovers.

"It's exciting to watch, monitor and enjoy the birds as they stop off, raise their young and call this important nature reserve home."

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