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Disturbance for brant (Branta bernicla) can be measured by the number of times per hour that a flock is disturbed and the resultant amount of time spent flying. Disturbance levels on the saltmarsh may be biased because of the occasional testing of explosives at a nearby factory and no correction can be made for this. Disturbance flights were made more frequently on the saltmarsh, but they lasted for a shorter time than those on farmland. The provision of refuge areas on permanent pasture and saltmarsh combined with intensive scaring over sensitive crops will maximize the benefit to the birds and considerably reduce their energy expenditure. If the value of feeding in refuge areas is improved then the rate of energy intake will increase and further attract birds to these areas.