Organization of censuring the Baikal group of great cormorants

The article presents a methodology for censuring birds, and their ecology for organizing long-term monitoring of the Baikal group of great cormorants. Censuring and analysis of distribution of the great cormorant begin by sociological surveys and questionnaires of the population in winter. Taking into account the collected information, we have developed a field research plan. With the arrival of birds we begin direct counts of nesting, feeding and resting individuals in certain areas of the Lake Baikal, accompanied by mapping. Priority is given to the biggest colonies. The use of photo-video recorders and cameras, unmanned aerial vehicles and high-speed boats allow us to quickly and efficiently perform censuring. The method was tested in 2013–2020 in the North-Eastern Baikal region, including the territory of Chivyrkuysky Bay (Zabaikalsky National Park), the Upper Angara River valley (with the Upper Angara Bay) and the north-eastern coast of Lake Baikal (Zabelin Barguzin State Natural Biosphere Reserve and Frolikhinsky Reserve).