( Communal roosting of godwits Limosa limosa on the Mokkebank).

Black-tailed godwits predominated amongst the waders visiting a communal roost on the Mokkebank, SW Friesland, Netherlands, a protected area of shallow water behind reed beds. When engaged in parental duties, the godwits did not visit the roost. Post- breeding numbers are positively correlated with breeding success. After the breeding season foraging occurred at distances of >60 km from the roost. Availability of fresh water for drinking and preening and the security against terrestrial predators by roosting in shallow water probably play a role in the selection of the roost site. The observations are in accordance with the information centre hypothesis for the function of communal roosts. Whirling flights from the roost may serve a function in communal decision making, eg. synchronizing breeding and migration activity.-from English summary