BUKER JB & GROEN NM (1989) Distribution of Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa in different grassland types during the breeding season. LIMOSA 62 (4): 183-190.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa Before and during the breeding season Black-tailed Godwits are not evenly spread within their habitat: The distribution pattern changes during the breeding season. This is one of the conclusions of a study in the Schaalsmeerpolder and adjacent part~ of the Wormer- and Jisperveld in the province of Noord-H9Iland, Netherlands during 1984-87. Parameters investigated were: management and use of the plots, and vegetation type and height. Plots with intensive management limitations, mowing fields and! or vegetations that indicate a moderately intensive use had the highest densities from arrival through the nesting period. Possible explanations for this preference maybe food availability and site fidelity after a previous successful breeding season. During the period when the chicks grow up the highest densities of families are found on plots with intensive management limitations and! or mowing fields. Vegetations with a mean height of 21-30 em are preferred. During the season there is a shift in the locations of the families. Explanations for this shift are: differences in the rate of growth of the various vegetation types, the food availability, the possibility for the chicks to move through the vegetation and for the parents to guard the chicks, and conflicts between families.

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