Clutch and egg size variation in the Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus in eastern Poland

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to examine how clutch size and season influenced egg size in a population of Marsh Harriers Circus aeruginosus in eastern Poland. The Marsh Harriers nested in small, isolated patches of reed belts surrounding fish ponds. A total of 328 eggs from 70 clutches were measured during four nesting seasons (2005–2008). Average clutch size was 4.69 ± 0.71 eggs and did not vary between years; the modal clutch size was 5 eggs. Mean values of the egg dimensions were: egg length = 48.60 ± 1.78 mm; egg breadth = 38.36 ± 1.13 mm; egg volume = 36.53 ± 2.99 cm³. There was a strong correlation between egg length and egg breadth. The number of eggs in a clutch had no effect on the egg size.