Mike,
Yes, I think the lapwings are getting used to the place: people walking around but not harming birds. The day I saw them should be the first day they arrive LV, that's why they were scared away by me when I was about 2-3 farmlands distance from them (when I was still unable to locate them).
How to take a picture like the 2nd one? is it really an infra red photo?
Vicky