The northern lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) flies wild loops above the fields of Viikki and the meadow on Lammassari island in the spring, making mewing ‘pee-wit-tuit’ calls while doing so. They have a tendency to gang up to chase crows away from their territories.
Northern lapwings often nest in clusters, with several pairs nesting in close proximity to each other. They always nest in fairly large fields, far away from trees. They incubate their eggs in open terrain, with little in the way of shelter. From their perspective, trees are dangerous perches for hawks and crows. They also do not like tall grass. Northern lapwing chicks run around in developing fields, by the sides of ditches and in mudflats.