Identification of predators of wader eggs from egg remains

Abstract

The remains left by egg predators near wader nests are described. Small chippings of eggshell were found in nests in which clutches had hatched and larger fragments were found in or near the nest of about half of the clutches destroyed by predators. Punctures thought to be caused by mustelid or Hedgehog teeth were found in some eggshells; crushing damage to the fractured edges of the shells was associated with these punctures. The relative importance of egg predation by mammals and birds varied between study areas.