Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
Frequent flushing of birds in the study area and subsequent exposure of eggs to predators seemed to result in heavier than normal egg loss for the common eider. Personnel participating in the investigations agreed that the birds on the study area seemed to be tamer in 1956 than in 1955. There is a possibility that because of greater tameness the birds returned to their nests more quickly or were less prone to desert after being disturbed, thus reducing predation. Undoubtedly some desertion can be attributed to the presence of people in the nesting area.