, ASSESSMENT OF THE SUCCESS OF COLONIAL FISH-EATING BIRDS NESTING ON THE WESTERN COAST OF LAKE BAIKAL // Nature of Inner Asia. - 2021. №4(19). . - С. 72-81.

ASSESSMENT OF THE SUCCESS OF COLONIAL FISH-EATING BIRDS NESTING ON THE WESTERN COAST OF LAKE BAIKAL

DOI: 10.18101/2542-0623-2021-4-72-81 UDK: 598.2:591.5(571.5)

The article considers the current breeding success of the Great cormorant Palacrocorax phalacrocorax sinensis and Mongolian gull Larus (argentatus) mongol- icus in different colonies of the western coast of Lake Baikal and the factors influencing this index. We have emphasized An extremely low food supply for the chicks of Mon- golian gulls. This situation can be explaining by the catastrophic reduction of stork of industrial fish, which led to an unprecedented level of their death and the prosperity of predation and cannibalism. The decrease in the breeding success of the great cormo- rant, in addition to the depletion of fish resources, is conditioned by the widespread pre- dation of Mongolian gulls, as well as the destruction nests and chicks by local residents. All this together leads to reducing the number of both species.

colonial birds, great cormorant, Mongolian gull, reproduction, nutrition, interspe- cific relationships, Lake Baikal, Eastern Siberia.