Study

Nest-site limitation and density dependence of reproductive output in the common goldeneye Bucephala clangula : implications for the management of cavity-nesting birds

  • Published source details Pöysä H. & Pöysä S. (2002) Nest-site limitation and density dependence of reproductive output in the common goldeneye Bucephala clangula : implications for the management of cavity-nesting birds. Journal of Applied Ecology, 39, 502-510.

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 replicated and controlled before-and-after study in southern Finland in 1988-99 (Pöysä & Pöysä 2002) found that the number of common goldeneye Bucephala clangula breeding pairs increased on 35 lakes following the provision of 50 nest boxes (average of 0.8 pairs/lake in 1988-91, before nest box provision vs. 1.1 pairs/lake in 1995-99, afterwards). There were no increases on 17 lakes without nest boxes provided (average of 0.8 pairs/lake in 1988-91 vs. 0.9 pairs/lake in 1995-9). However, there was no increase in the number of broods at experimental lakes (0.17 broods/lake vs. 0.19 broods/lake) and the increase in the number of chicks fledging was not significant (0.59 young fledged/lake in 1988-91 vs. 0.86 young/lake in 1995-9). Nest boxes were 25 x 26 x 70 cm with a 9 cm diameter entrance hole. The authors suggest nest site availability may limit the number of breeding goldeneyes, but that other factors appear to limit reproductive output.

     

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