Breeding biology of a kentish plover (charadrius alexandrin us) population in an inland saline lake

TL;DRAbstract

We studied the breeding bioloev of Kentish Plovers (Cliaradrius alexandrinus) in Fuente de Piedra lake (southern Spain) in 1991 and 1992. Breeders showed sexual dimorphism in tarsal length and body mass; body mass decreased throughout the breeding season only in males. Laying dates spanned 88 days in 1991 and 110 in 1992. Eggs deposited in the late nesting season were larger than those in the begining of the season. Females incubated during daytime and males during the night. Apparent clutches of 1-2 eggs occurred mostly late in the nesting season and reflect a high incidence of partial prédation (recorded in 17 % of 288 2-3 egg clutches). Nest prédation increased in the course of the breeding season, and only 19 % of all clutches produced chicks. Variables measured for each nest site (nest cover, distances to water and to nearest neighbour) did not influence nest prédation. Kentish Plover pairs that lost clutches usually renested together, on average 11-24 days after loss of their pre

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