Anomalies at Rosetta Mclain

[oridgen10]

Tonight I observed a large flock of what appeared to be Cormorants flying low over the water, heading west along the shoreline.The majority of these birds had bright white breast patches and possibly white behind the beak. No obvious size difference from DC Cormorants (they were fairly far out), but I'm wondering if these could have been Great Cormorants, or simply moulting or juvenile phase Double-cresteds.

[Walter Fisher]

Hi oridgen10,

Those would be juvenile Double-crested Cormorants.  Great Cormorants of any age would be extremely rare at best.

If you stand along the fenceline at Rosetta long enough you'll observe literally thousands of D-c Cormorants flying left and right as they make their way to and from their feeding sites.  It's nonstop action all day long!

Walter