Effects of predation and weather on the breeding success of Avocets Recurvirostra avosetta

We investigated breeding success of Avocets Recurvirostra avosetta on the W adden Spa coast of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, during the years 1988-1997. Annual variations in hatching success were mainly determined by the presen ce of Red Foxes Vulpes vulpes in an embanked part of the study site and by the occurrence of storm tides on the saltmarshes. Hatching success did not correlate with the population size of avian egg predators. Annual chick sur vival rates were positively associated with June temperatures. The influenc e of predators on chick survival rates was not delectable. Annual breeding success (number of fledglings per number of breeding pairs) was significant ly correlated with Tune temperature and chick survival, but not with hatchi ng success.