The white stork census to take place in Russia

The Union for the Protection of Birds of Russia invites everyone to take part in the International Registration of white storks. The participants of the action will count the nests, collect information about the main reproductive indicators and the breeding success of couples.

This is the eighth time the campaign has been held in Russia. Data collected totally from large territories will be considered especially valuable.

"Preferably, the census should cover the entire territory of the country inhabited by the species. If total accounting of nests is not possible on the territory of any subject of the Russian Federation, data can be obtained by counting on randomly selected sites (sites) representative of this territory," the message says.

Regional coordinators will be identified to collect and consolidate data in the regions. They can be qualified ornithologists or stork lovers, who will be appointed by the national coordinator.

Experts note that the best period for accounting is mid–June - mid-August. This time accounts for the second half of the nestling period of storks. However, the dates may vary in different regions of the country.

The participants of the action will have to find the nests of white easts, count the number of nesting pairs, determine the number of fledging chicks. Empty nests are also taken into account. Ornithologists are also interested in the number of unsuccessfully nesting pairs without chicks on the wing and pairs whose breeding success is unknown.