This guideline is focusing on the monitoring of Great Bustard populations, but it does not aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the available research techniques. The scope of this guideline is restricted to cover attributes of the population and its habitat which should be subject of regular surveillance in order to be able to detect threats and to trigger appropriate research and conservation measures when necessary.

These guidelines were considered necessary because the Middle European population of Great Bustard sometimes suffer serious losses during winter migration and migration routes and winter movements are poorly known based on land based surveys. In addition, lack of reliable demographic information also hinders the evaluation and further development of conservation measures for the protection of the species.