SOUTHEAST – Cormorants have invaded trees in a marshy area along Routes 6 between Simpson Road and Route 312 in Southeast.
Mike and Maryellen McDonough were driving along Route 6 when they saw the huge influx of the big birds. “Dozens were nesting in trees on the shore. Neither one of us ever remembered seeing such a large amount of cormorant nests anywhere in the region,” said McDonough, adding, “When living in Florida we did see such a sight on the shores of Charlotte Harbor in Punta Gorda.”
The North American water bird feeds on the sea, in estuaries, and on freshwater lakes, nesting in colonies. These animals have webbed feet and bills that point upward.
The National Wildlife Habitat Management Institute said cormorants dive from the surface and swim under water and then perch with their wings half open to dry.
Paul Kupchok, who served for years as Green Chimneys’ wildlife specialist, said cormorants belong to the pelican family. The birds vary in size from three pounds to nearly 12 pounds and also have a varied wingspan of from 48 inches to 63 inches.
These animals inhabit regions throughout the Northern Hemisphere and can also be found in Australia and New Zealand.
Kupchok said the great cormorant breeds on coasts, by nesting on cliffs or trees, and lays three to four eggs in a nest of seaweed and twigs. Kupchok noted that the cormorant is “one of the few birds that can move its eyes to assist in hunting.”
Jennifer Lerner, senior resource educator at Putnam Cornell Cooperative Extension Services forecast “Putnam’s cormorants will be with us throughout the summer before migrating to the southern U.S. and Mexico for the winter. These animals have started to move into reservoirs, and in some areas, people consider them a nuisance.
The State Department of Environmental Conservation noted the increase reporting a management program underway.
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