Population Dynamics in Temminck's Stint Calidris temminckii

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Abstract
An isolated, color-ringed population was studied for 10 yr on the west coast of Finland. Most females laid 2 clutches of 4 eggs each season. Of clutches found, 52% were successful, and 50-60% of the young fledged; estimated as young per adult, the hatching success averaged 1.21 and the fledging success 0.7. About 50% of the fledglings survived their 1st yr of life. The age at 1st breeding in males was 1-3 (average 1.8) yr, in females 1 yr. Annual adult mortality averaged 19% and increased with age from 7% in the 1st yr after ringing to 33% after 4 yr. The mean longevity of breeding adults was about 7 yr. The reproductive output was estimated as sufficient for maintenance of the population, except for the last few years of the study. The recent decrease of the species in the Gulf of Bothnia is believed to be due to the deterioration of habitats, caused by abandonment of the grazing of shore meadows and by eutrophication of the waters. Age dependency in avian mortality is discussed.