Transactions
of the Azov-Black Sea Ornithological Station
Present status of the Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) in the inland Ukraine
Yu.M. Bondarchuk, S.V. Pshenichny, N.V. Kaminskaya, A.S. Panchuk, I.V. Davydenko, V.V. Serebryakov
From the second half of the XIX century to the beginning of the XX century the Cormorant was known in the Ukraine as a breeding and wintering species of the sea coasts. During the last century and at the beginning of the current century its status changes relative to the territory: the Cormorant spread over the whole Ukraine and became a numerous species in the most suitable inland waters. Birds from the western regions probably are of the Baltic origin and the Cormorants appeared in the central, northern and eastern areas of Ukraine originate from the Black Sea coasts. Distribution of these populations is discussed on the bases of the available own and published data analysis. Mainly the Cormorants settle in the herons' colonies and in course of time move them from the area and transform the colony into dynamic territorial settlement. Early appearance of the Cormorants in spring within the breeding area due to short distance from their wintering grounds and the influence of birds on vegetation within the colony (causing a death of trees) promote this process. The number of the Cormorants was 1000-4500 breeding pairs in 1970s and 14000-21000 pairs - already in 1990s. Probably such process will develop in the near future.
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