Great snipe distribution within its range is largely a result of the breeding strategy of the species (Kålås et al. 1997b). The males gather at dusk in places called leks, where they present their traits in front of females during mating (Lemnell 1978). Within the lek arena, most males actively defend small territories (Avery and Sherwood 1982). Displaying is a very energy-consuming process, as a result of which some males can lose up to 7% of body weight during a single night (Höglund et al. 1992). To “compensate” for such large energy losses and to continue displaying (which lasts in Poland for about two months) leks can occur only in places with abundant food. These conditions have led to a strong habitat and food specialisation of the species (Løfaldli et al. 1992), influencing the very uneven distribution of great snipe leks (Kålås et al. 1997b).
The lek arena usually has an area of several dozen to one hundred square meters, but sometimes it reaches an area of up to 1 ha. The lek is often located on a small elevation of land covered with low herbaceous vegetation, but this is not a rule, as some arenas do not stand out in any special way among the surrounding habitats. In the case of stable habitat conditions (at the lek and in its vicinity), they are often located in the same places or only slightly shift from year to year. Small leks of up to 5 males are more susceptible to shifts and may be ephemeral in places with unstable habitat conditions (Korniluk et al. 2015). Males mate with several females, but also a female can mate with more than one male. The relationships between the partners are very loose, but the choice of males by the female is very specific. It is estimated that only half of the males present on the lek are involved in reproduction, and the “best” males can participate in over 30% of all copulations (Höglund and Lundberg 1987, Fiske et al. 1994). Due to such a strong selection for the partner and a very complex reproductive system, a sufficient number of males at the lek is necessary for the efficient functioning of sexual selection. This minimum number of males is difficult to determine, however, in the case of leks with only a few males, we can expect depletion of the gene pool in the population and consequently its weakening.
Males do not take part in incubation and caring for offspring (Cramp and Simons 1983). Therefore, most likely the area around the places chosen by the females for nests must also be rich in food, because the energy cost associated with incubation and rearing of chicks does not spread between both parents.
The lek arena usually has an area of several dozen to one hundred square meters, but sometimes it reaches an area of up to 1 ha. The lek is often located on a small elevation of land covered with low herbaceous vegetation, but this is not a rule, as some arenas do not stand out in any special way among the surrounding habitats. In the case of stable habitat conditions (at the lek and in its vicinity), they are often located in the same places or only slightly shift from year to year. Small leks of up to 5 males are more susceptible to shifts and may be ephemeral in places with unstable habitat conditions (Korniluk et al. 2015). Males mate with several females, but also a female can mate with more than one male. The relationships between the partners are very loose, but the choice of males by the female is very specific. It is estimated that only half of the males present on the lek are involved in reproduction, and the “best” males can participate in over 30% of all copulations (Höglund and Lundberg 1987, Fiske et al. 1994). Due to such a strong selection for the partner and a very complex reproductive system, a sufficient number of males at the lek is necessary for the efficient functioning of sexual selection. This minimum number of males is difficult to determine, however, in the case of leks with only a few males, we can expect depletion of the gene pool in the population and consequently its weakening.
Males do not take part in incubation and caring for offspring (Cramp and Simons 1983). Therefore, most likely the area around the places chosen by the females for nests must also be rich in food, because the energy cost associated with incubation and rearing of chicks does not spread between both parents.
