Study

The establishment of a population of goldeneyes Bucephala clangula breeding in Scotland

  • Published source details Dennis R.H. & Dow H. (1984) The establishment of a population of goldeneyes Bucephala clangula breeding in Scotland. Bird Study, 31, 217-222.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Provide artificial nesting sites for wildfowl

Action Link
Bird Conservation
  1. Provide artificial nesting sites for wildfowl

    A before-and-after study in northern Scotland (Dennis & Dow 1984) found that a breeding population of common goldeneyes Bucephala clangula established itself in a forested landscape following the installation of a total of 83 nest boxes between 1961 and 1982. Goldeneye numbers were monitored from 1960, with a single female nesting in a natural cavity in 1970. Nest boxes were first used in 1974 (two breeding attempts), with 41 breeding attempts in 1982 and the percentage of occupied boxes increasing from 6% to 49% over the same period. Occupancy rates and nesting success were highest for boxes close to rivers (72% occupation for 13 boxes, 78% success for 36 attempts), compared with those by small lakes (30% occupancy, 57% success for 37 boxes and 58 attempts), large lakes (26% occupancy, 50% success for 25 boxes and 44 attempts) or marshes (4% occupancy and 50% success for nine boxes and two attempts).

     

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