The Cormorant Saga - Part 3

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve - Hundreds of newly arrived Brown Pelican find respite on Gibson Beach.  On this third and final adventure observing the nesting Brant's Cormorant, I am joined by my friend Cathy from Palm Springs.  Fifty days had passed since my first observation.

Both parents are active in feeding and protecting the young.  The small area around their nest is sacrosanct, anyone getting into their space is firmly scolded, and if not moving off, the invaders are pecked.  Nest tidying, unwanted items such as scraps of food, odd twigs, bits of eggshells, and dead hatchlings are tossed out.  Edible items such as food scraps and dead hatchlings may be eaten.   Included in nest tidying is adding fresh material.

From what I observed the average number of chicks per nest was about 2 - 3.  At 3 weeks of age the chicks are too large to shelter.  The adult stands at the edge of the nest, ready at a moments notice to protect them.   At 6 - 7 weeks adults may leave the nest unguarded but return to feed and roost.  The below photo shows chicks of all sizes.  Chicks will fledge (fly) about 50 days after hatching.  Adults will continue feeding for a couple of weeks after the chicks fledge.  (click on photos to see details)

Below photo - Parents perched on edge of nest.

Quite a few late comers have arrived since my last visit.  They seem to have had no trouble finding nesting sites.  

We discovered several Pelagic Cormorant nests in Brandt's territory.  Notice the large hole in the center of the rock formation, a cozy nesting site for a pair of Pelagic Cormorant.

At Sea Lion Point, a mile north of Bird Island, we checked on the progress of the Pelagic Cormorants.  Three nests had chicks.  The one on the left had small chicks that the parent was sheltering, below photo.  Both Pelagic and Brandt's extend their wings when they have small nestlings.

While looking at the far left nest, below photo, Cathy noticed a Pigeon Guillemot fly out from the left.  We concluded that a Guillemot and a Pelagic can nest in close proximity without a problem.  A portion of the Guillemot's head, bill and white wing patch can be seen.  The nests are roomier than I thought.  The center nest shows two large youngsters, and what are they doing - begging for food.

More than likely this is the last of the Cormorant Saga at Point Lobos Natural Reserve, but I cannot make any promises.  I may return during the rainy season, if we have one.   I am wondering if the low oval on Bird Island (below) is formed by water.   (photo - black specks Cormorants, beige specks Brown Pelicans)