Dynamics of bird abundance at the Molochny Lyman monitoring plot in autumn 2014 following the restoration of the canal connecting the lyman and the Sea of Azov

The hydrological regime of the Molochny Lyman depends on the connectivity with the Sea of Azov, which has been maintained through a canal in recent decades. In the early 21st century, technical maintenance of the canal ceased due to financial constraints, leading the Molochny Lyman to reach critical water levels by 2013.

The reduction in water volume was also accompanied by an increase in salinity (Demchenko et al., 2015). In June 2014, the connecting canal was cleared, resulting in a gradual influx of seawater. To assess the response of the avifauna to these hydrological changes, regular monitoring of waterbirds was established at a study plot in the upper reaches of the Molochny Lyman.