Colonization patterns in Sand MartinsRiparia riparia

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Abstract
Settlement patterns of Sand Martins at a sand quarry in central Scotland [UK] are described. Older birds returned to the colony before first-year individuals, and thus had widest choice of subcolony in which to nest. A model of subcolony settlement was developed which assumed that individuals nested in subcolonies where their reproductive success was maximized. The colonization patterns observed fitted those predicted by the model, though several alternative models could also explain the settlement patterns. Costs and benefits of early arrival at the breeding colony are discussed.