Ruff, breeding strategy (1 Viewer)

Last year we had plenty of Ruff here on my local patch in Russia but despite seeing plenty of display activity, there was no sign of any breeding birds and they disappeared mid May.

This year they're back as usual and we have noted copulation for the first time. Does this mean that they intend to breed locally or is it usual for copulation prior to arrival at the breeding grounds?



A

Is the ground wetter this year? Wouldn't be surprised after the snow & cold you've been mentioning recently. Extra wet might well encourage them to stay around and breed.

Nutcracker said:

Is the ground wetter this year? Wouldn't be surprised after the snow & cold you've been mentioning recently. Extra wet might well encourage them to stay around and breed.

Click to expand...

It is a bit wetter but hardly sodden, St Petersburg is basically a giant swamp so any surface water is quickly absorbed.


A