BETA-FOR_SP9_Nestweights_2022/2023

one-time sampling + rapid assessment 2023 ################ In 2022, we monitored 360 nest boxes, and in 2023, 216 nest boxes. The boxes were placed in March and surveyed bi-weekly from May to July using the inspection procedure outlined by Hochrein et al. (2022). After the breeding season in early August, we collected abandoned nests, removed dead eggs and birds, and froze them at -20°C for 2-3 days to eliminate invertebrates (following Britt and Deeming 2011). Afterward, we let the nests air-dry for seven days to remove moisture and thus standardize nest mass. To measure the mass of dried nests, we used a digital scale with a precision of 0.01 g (KERN® EMS 300-3). ################ We greatly acknowledge the help of: Michael Junginger, Katharina Kallnik, Manuel Mauermann, Kim Zimmermann, Noelle Demuth, Adèle Kieffer, Interns of the Bavarian Forest Nationalpark and all other assistants