The effect of nest site on the nesting success of the Coot Fulica atra

Abstract

The nesting success of Coots (Fulica atra)breeding at lakes and small inland water bodies in the Mazurian Lakeland, Poland, was estimated in 2008 and 2009. Mean nesting success, indicated by hatching, was 75%; it was highest at lakes in the vicinity of built-up areas (86%), moderate at small inland water bodies (69%) and lowest at lakes far from human settlements (44%). Nesting success improved with decreasing distance to open water. Our results suggest that small inland water bodies and built-up areas along lake banks may serve as Coot refuges, acting as safeguards against predation, especially by the American Mink.