Spronk, Joëlle (2026) Breeding Experience as a Determinant of Breeding Behaviour in Eurasian Oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus) on Schiermonnikoog. Bachelor's Research Project (period 2b), Biology.
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Abstract
Saltmarshes are an important habitat for many breeding shorebird species. However, populations have been declining for decades and saltmarshes are threatened by sea level rise and more frequent floodings due to climate change. Floodings generally occur in the breeding season. The Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) is a near-threatened species that breed on the saltmarshes of Schiermonnikoog and have been studied there since 1984. This report discusses the effect of breeding experience on breeding onset and nest territory, assuming that breeding success is higher among early breeders and residents. The advancement of average lay date in the UK and the Netherlands were also important for this report. It was hypothesised that 1) breeding onset advances with more breeding experience, 2) experienced individuals and pair-bonds have no preference for a specific territory, and 3) breeding onset differs between territories. The research consisted of daily nest checks in the field, gathering information on the individual oystercatchers from databases, and doing statistical analyses in RStudio. The results showed that breeding experience had no significant effect on breeding onset and was significantly longer in leapfrog territories. Furthermore, breeding onset did not differ between territories.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Bachelor's Research Project (period 2b)) |
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| Supervisor name: | Lameris, T.K. |
| Degree programme: | Biology |
| Thesis type: | Bachelor's Research Project (period 2b) |
| Language: | English |
| Date Deposited: | 24 Jun 2026 12:42 |
| Last Modified: | 24 Jun 2026 12:42 |
| URI: | https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/37323 |
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