Abstract
The breeding biology of the Redstart was studied in its marginal breeding area in northernmost Finland during the years 1982–1994. The mean clutch size was higher than in more southern populations. Losses during the egg and nestling stages were negligible: hatching success (hatchlings per egg) and fledging success (fledglings per hatchling) were 0.91 and 0.89, respectively. Only heavy rainfall decreased nestling survival. Our results show that population size is stable and breeding success is good in this marginal breeding area compared to other breeding grounds. The population size fluctuated in parallel with the vole cycle as expected if small (mammal) predators switch to taking birds when vole numbers are low.
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