In early spring, a small percentage of the young return to their birthplaces. They do not breed on the natal territory itself but rather settle some distance away. This distance varies, depending on the population. Site fidelity in adults is highly variable. Anywhere between 13 and 60 percent of the birds return to their former breeding territories, the percentage depending greatly upon winter mortality and previous breeding success.
Females show less site fidelity than males, especially following an unsuccessful breeding season.