ADULT SURVIVAL AND NUMBERS IN A COASTAL BREEDING POPULATION OF REDSHANK TRINGA-TOTANUS IN NORTHWEST ENGLAND

The results of a long-term capture-mark-recapture ringing programme carried out on a coastal population of breeding Redshanks Tringa totanus between 1974 and 1988 are presented. Both sexes were equally likely to be recaptured in subsequent years, as were birds captured for the first time compared with those that had been captured previously. Older birds were more frequently recaptured than were young birds. There was no significant difference in male and female adult survival rates, with a mean of 72% of females and 75% of males surviving each year. The breeding population fluctuated annually with estimated breeding densities of 122-285 pairs per km2. Variation in breeding numbers (males), but not survival, was partially attributable to winter air temperature.