Oriental stork (Ciconia boyciana Swinhoe) breeding population survey in the Amur region in 2018–2019

Abstract

This article presents the Oriental stork population count in the Amur region of Russia, performed in 2018–2019. The data was collected during helicopter aerial surveys, ground surveys, using vehicles and drones and collecting questionnaires information. As a result, 404 nests were recorded, of which 324 nests were checked during the breeding season and were occupied, 62 nests were checked after the breeding season (in autumn or winter), but according to the set of external characteristics, they were identified as occupied nests, 18 nests were recorded from questionnaires information but have not been verified. In addition, 22 unoccupied nests are recorded. Half of all recorded nests are located in protected natural areas. 76% of all occupied nests are located on trees, 19% on power transmission poles, 5% on artificial nesting poles. The estimated number of breeding storks and chicks of the current year was 2010 individuals. 89.9% of breeding pairs successfully obtained offspring. The average brood size was 3.36 chicks (n = 143).