Digiscoped using Canon Powershot A640 and Kowa TSN-883 x30There is something primeval about the Cormorant, something Pterodactyl-like.
A large bird, the size of a large goose, it has come into conflict with commercial fishing interests due to its` fondness for eating fish and there have been calls for their numbers to be controlled.
The population in Britain and Ireland is thought to be around 12,000 pairs, with some coastal colonies declining, but inland colonies appear to be increasing. Outside of Britain and Ireland these birds breed across Scandinavia, Europe, Russia, China, India, parts of Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Iceland and a few birds even breed in North America.
Hi John,
ReplyDeleteI'm almost certain I saw a Cormorant on the west coast of British Columbia. Fascinating stuff and photos, John.
And, I see what you mean in regards to the 'Pterodactyl'. I'm flying over to British Columbia on 'Pterodactyl Airlines' :)
Cheers.
Hey John, I call them "Green eyed Monsters".
ReplyDeleteI agree, there is something primeval about them. I find them fascinating creatures as I do the Grey Heron also. Lovely photos John.
ReplyDeleteI missed commenting on your last post but have just enjoyed it. The only place I have ever seen an Egyptian Goose is at Draycote Water last year where it stayed for months. I was hoping it might appear again this year but not so far, still time though :)
Dear John,
ReplyDeleteimpressive! In Germany the farmers (or fishermen?) are complaining that the cormorans eat too much fish from the lakes.
Hi Gary,
ReplyDeleteThankyou for that. I hope the flight isn`t too much like something from `The Flintstones!` ;)
J
Hi Roy,
ReplyDeleteYes, their little green eye is almost jewel like, I did say almost! ;)
J
Hi ShySongbird,
ReplyDeleteThey are fascinating creatures, I agree.
The Egyptian Goose is starting to spread itself, so you may start getting breeding birds soon, who knows!? :)
J
Hi Britta,
ReplyDeleteThe fishing community are making big noises here aswell, but I don`t think they have manged to get the bird culled yet, hopefully they won`t either!
J
Hi John. The middle photo reminds me of Archeaoptrix, which was much smaller.
ReplyDeleteIf they are the size of large geese I'm glad they aren't producing their droppings around my garden!
Click here for Bazza’s Blog ‘To Discover Ice’
Hi bazza,
ReplyDeleteYes, they can cause a bit of a mess! One of the trees they roost in at Ferry Meadows has been killed by their droppings, it is now a bleached skeleton!
J