Sex ratios of waders at the northern end of the East Atlantic flyway in winter

Capsule Sex ratios were determined for 11 wader species at the northern end of the East Atlantic flyway in winter. The ratio was even for six species, there were more males for four species, and more females for one species.Aims To describe the sex ratio of adult waders in northern Scotland and examine departures from parity.Methods Molecular sexing and biometrics were used to estimate the sex ratio (percentage male) in adult populations of 11 waders wintering on estuaries and open shores in northern Scotland (Moray Firth and Orkney), at the northern part of the East Atlantic flyway. Departures from parity were examined in relation to three possibilities: (1) that there was local variation in the distribution of the sexes; (2) that the sexes differed in their winter ranges and (3) that there was an uneven sex ratio in the entire population.Results The percentage of males did not differ significantly from 50% for Lapwing, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Knot, Sanderling and Turnstone. There were significant differe...