Cormorants - Niagara River 2008

Cormorants.08 by Earl Plato

Shades of South Kaobel Road Where Niagara Falls, Welland and Port Colborne meet. Before the demise of
the huge old oak tree there we used to see as many as fifty Turkey vultures perched on its limbs. The tree finally died and the vultures departed for other parts. Now in July, 2008 there is another tree and large birds perched on its branches. Where? On our own Niagara River in Fort Erie. A large dead tree at the water’s edge mid morning was home to Double - crested cormorants. Keith and I counted 38 0n the tree as two more approached to land. Canadian cormorants? I don’t think so. Their direction of flight was from the southeast. Definitely Buffalonian residents, eh! What do you know about these gregarious birds? They are large dark, water birds. Look at them, They have long necks and long bodies, The bills are usually hooked at the ends. They nest on the shores of our Great Lakes in spring and summer. They are here to stay. They are not my favourite water bird. They are voracious consumers of our fish both good and bad species. Like the Turkey vulture their feathers are not waterproof. So after a heavy rainfall they head to a large dead tree to perch and dry out. Guess what? Our Canadian dead tree was a temporary respite for those forty Double-crested cormorants. They headed back across the river to he U.S.A. Check them out. With a four foot wingspan they fly well and are great at getting their prey - fish. Don’t stand under their perching trees unless you want to be “whitewashed!”

Photo courtesy of Earl Plato -Niagara River

Just Off The Trail - Did you see the raptors at the Ridge Fest July 5th and 6Th. I was enamoured of the Great Horned owl resting on trainer ……… shoulder. Did you see those great talons on this bird? He’s the largest of North American owls. Magnificent bird with those yellow eyes.
On the Trail - no owls yet but not far away in Ridgway - just a block south - we have a pair of Screech owls and five young fledglings. Keep using our Friendship Trail, eh!