Space use by Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa limosa during settlement at a previous or a new nest location

Abstract

Capsule Black-tailed Godwits first return to the nest location of the previous year, even when moving to a different nest location later that season. Aims To examine the use of space by Black-tailed Godwits during the two months before egg-laying to two weeks afterwards. Methods We compare the spatial distribution of sightings of eventually site-faithful birds with birds that changed nest location, and relate this to the change of the distance to their previous year's and current nest-site in the period until egg-laying. Using a log-likelihood model we establish how the differences in distance to the respective nests change over the course of the season. Results All birds were observed first near their previous year's nest-site, and remained there for most of the pre-laying period. Birds that subsequently changed nest location made the move only about five days before egg-laying and were more wide-ranging earlier on. Conclusion The return to the previous nest-site suggests that a decision to move is made only after considerable time investment near the previous nest-site. This indicates that site-faithfulness in Black-tailed Godwits is conditional on experiences after return to the nesting area. © 2008 British Trust for Ornithology.