Branta Issues > Issue №11 (2008)

The Cormorant in the Regional Landscape Park "Kinburn Spit" and at adjacent areas

Z.O. Petrovich, R.O.Redinov

Present data have been collected during 1987-2008. From the end of O.O century to the beginning of OO century the Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) colony was known only on the BerezanIsland. Later this species had disappeared. The next nesting of the Cormorant was observed in 1980 (at the KinburnPeninsula). Numbers of the species increased and new colonies have appeared. Maximum number of nesting birds was known in 2006 - there were more than 10000 pairs of the Cormorant, numbers of the local population was about 50000 individuals at the end of the breeding season.

The first birds appear in spring in the late February - March. Their departure to the wintering areas occurs in November. During the mild winters 1-300 individuals of wintering Cormorants were observed.

The Cormorants build their nests mainly on the ground, on islands. The egg laying begins from the early April: 1.04.2004 (the Berezan Island). Sometimes people and high water levels following the storms destroy some part of the colony.

We suppose that a regulation of the Cormorant numbers is necessary. The Cormorant usually nests in the colonies near to the Yellow-legged Gull (Larus cachinnans) showing a trend to the number increase. Both species move other breeding birds from the island (territorial competition).

The Cormorant colonies attract the White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus). Therefore a destruction of the Cormorant colonies within the probable breeding areas of pelicans is not permissible.