Biological expedition to Jameson Land, Greenland 1984: expedition report.

The breeding biology of the barnacle goose Branta leucopsis was studied in Orsted Dal, E Greenland, from 20 June to 19 July 1984. A census revealed 1205 barnacle with 201 pairs breeding in 9 cliff colonies. Differential breeding success between the 2 study cliffs was probably related to the extent and character of boulder scree below the cliffs, the abundance of predators, principally Arctic fox Alopex lagopus, and distance between the cliffs and nearest secure water. Nest failure was 72% at Didrik Pining and 17% at Kap Seaforth. Overall failure rate was 40% in 42 nests. Mean clutch size was 3.57 for 30 nests. The overall decline from mean clutch size to mean brood size in winter grounds in Ireland was 49%. Pink-footed goose Anser brachyrhynchus was also studied. There were 520 individuals including 53 pairs breeding in the valley. 77% of nests were in colonies of = or >6 pairs. Mean clutch size was 4.3. Pairs nesting in larger colonies had significantly smaller clutches than those nesting in loose aggregations. Also studied were muskoxen Ovibos moschatus and 26 species of birds. -from Authors