Ardea
Official journal of the Netherlands Ornithologists' Union

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Kristiansen J.N. (1998) Egg predation in reedbed nesting Greylag Geese Anser anser in Vejlerne, Denmark. ARDEA 86 (2): 137-145
Egg predation in Greylag Geese Anser anser nesting in reedbeds was studied at three sites in Vejlerne (NW Denmark). Overall, 34% of all clutches hatched successfully (range 26-53%), while at least 34% of all nests were abandoned. Avian predation of clutches was particularly high on one site (20%) compared to other sites (0-2%), probably as a result of better breeding opportunities for crows in that area. Mammalian egg predation was low in the two sites with natural barriers in the form of water channels or with higher vegetation densities. Nests neighbouring depredated nests were more likely to be depredated. An important factor affecting egg predation by mammals was the distance of the nest to reed cutting tracks. Second, there was a tendency for successful nests to occur in areas with higher vegetation densities. Mammalian predators were Red Fox Vulpes vulpes and American Mink Mustela vison and/or Western Polecat M. putorius


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