First Lapwing Egg of the Season Found on Schiermonnikoog

Schiermonnikoog can be taken off the list. Douwe Dam has found the first lapwing egg of the season on the east side of the island. Several people were searching for eggs, prompting Dam to act quickly. He spotted the egg across a ditch, lying in the spring sun.

This marks the second consecutive year that Dam has discovered the first lapwing egg on Schiermonnikoog according to Omrop Fryslân.

Search Continues in Other Municipalities

As of today, March 12, 2026, the search for the first lapwing egg continues in eight municipalities: Ameland, Achtkarspelen, Noordeast-Friesland, Dantumadiel, Leeuwarden, Harlingen, Waadhoeke, and Ooststellingwerf.

The Tradition of ‘Aaisykje’

The search for lapwing eggs, known as “aaisykje” in the Frisian language, is a long-standing tradition in the province of Friesland. Historically, the first egg found was offered to the Queen’s Commissioner of Friesland. Heavenly Holland notes that Friesland is the only place in Europe where peewit eggs were traditionally collected, with each egg requiring registration with local authorities.

While collecting eggs has been banned since 2015, the tradition has evolved. Today, volunteers focus on protecting nests and counting eggs and chicks as part of a broader conservation effort. The finders of the first eggs are still honored by the King’s Commissioner or the mayor.

Lapwing Conservation Efforts

Around 3,500 volunteers in Friesland participate in “aftercare,” protecting and counting the eggs and chicks of meadow birds. This work is crucial for the conservation of the lapwing and other meadow bird species.