Correction factors for hatching success rates of meadow birds not derived by the Mayfield method

The traditional way of estimating hatching success by the crude proportion of nests found that were successful often gives misleading results. I compared the results of the traditional method with the results of the Mayfield method in 139 datasets of meadow birds (Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus, Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus, Dunlin Calidris alpina, Ruff Philomachus pugnax, Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa, Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata and Redshank Tringa totanus). On average the traditional method considerably over-estimated hatching success. I propose the following equation to correct the hatching success data of meadow birds: HM= 0.0073 H2T + 0.2367 HT + 3.8016 (where HM= Hatching success estimated according Mayfield and HT= Hatching success estimated according the traditional method).