Abstract: Results of bird surveys carried out in 1995–2020 in the Sulakskaya and Turalinskaya lagoons of the western coast of the Caspian Sea in Dagestan and ring recoveries data received from the ringing center of the birds IEE RAS were used to revise information about geographic dispersion of wader populations migrating in the study area. Long-term dynamics of abundance was analyzed in 10 model species, among which the abundance decreased in four species, increased in two species, and was relatively stable in four species. In some migrants the abundance correlated with changes in mean annual air temperature. The dynamics of numbers of migrating wader populations was determined by hydrological cycles, anthropogenic factors, and foraging conditions. We recommend to apply a temporary ban on hunting of the Northern Lapwing, Common Redshank, Common Snipe and Black-tailed Godwit, or to adopt hunting limits not exceeding 30–40 % of populations of these waders.

Keywords: Dagestan lagoons, factors, trends in numbers, waders.