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)

The Cormorant Saga - Part 2

Point Lobos State Natural Preserve - Wednesday Morning 10:30 - after 154 miles, mostly on Highway 101, I found myself looking at probably a couple thousand nesting Brandt's Cormorant.  Thirty-four days had passed since my last visit to the rocky rookery.

 The rookery was bustling with activity.  Some of the juveniles appeared as large, if not larger than their parents, and like typical teenagers they were constantly begging for food.  At first all I saw was a mass of black.  Through binoculars, I began to see the nestlings.  At birth they are without feathers and sightless.  Within a week they are covered with fluffy down.  A nestling, needing to eat frequently, often has its bill extended up toward a parent's neck.  This action will stimulate the parent to regurgitate.  The nestling will feed by inserting its bill into the parent's throat.

I saw more juveniles than little ones because the little ones were tucked away under the adults.  Sometimes a tiny head would appear.  Tending the young is shared by both parents.  Nestlings are dark grey with whiteish speckles, particularly on their wings. (for details click on images)

Can you locate the three juveniles in the center of the above photo?

The nests, glued together with excrement, form a concretion.

         Nestlings lower center of above photo.

On a rock face, below the hustle and bustle of the rookery, was a Black-crowned Night Heron and a solitary Brant's Cormorant.  It was clear to me that they did not believe in the adage, "Birds of a feather flock together."

 

Pelagic Cormorants were located one mile north at Sea Lion Cove.

White excrement marks the nest sites; ten were occupied.  No little ones could be seen.  Compared to the Brandt's, the scene was serene.

In about two weeks I am planning on taking another jaunt to Point Lobos.  Hopefully, Pelagic chicks will be active.  On every visit to the Point Lobos Preserve I have shown my docent, state park pass and entered without having to pay a $9.00 fee.

Bird Island - The Cormorant Saga - Part 1

Bird Island - May 10, 2018 - Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, Monterey County California

The fully accessible trail to Bird Island is a .8 mile round trip.  The views are spectacular - Monterey Pines, an amazing variety of delicate spring wildflowers, white sand coves (above photo), harbor seal moms and pups, and Bird Island, famous for its breeding colony of Brandt’s Cormorant. 

 Brandt’s Cormorant nest in colonies, large congregation of individuals that build their nests in a particular location.  In the above photo Brandt's are clustered together in an oval depression on Bird Island.  When expanding the photo you can see quite a few well established nests. The Brandt have been nesting on Bird Island for many decades.  On the far left of the photo a Brandt's Cormorant can be seen carrying construction material for his nest.  In my opinion the occupied depression is the prime real estate on Bird Island.

The male chooses the nest site.  In the above photo a male is displaying his vivd blue gular pouch with high hopes of attracting a mate.  Males begin nest building before finding a mate.  Nests consist of  seaweed, eelgrass, alga and nearby vegetation.  Unfortunately, while he is off gathering, a rival male may steal some of his nesting material. 

Females move among the advertising males with thin, up-stretched necks.  As a female approaches a group of males (center), there is a sudden increase in displays.

After they pair up, males continue gathering nesting material while the females builds the nest; guano will glue the nest together.  Both the male and female defend their nest site from interlopers.  When a nest exchange is made the eggs are turned by the new sitter.  Incubation (28-31 days) is carried out by both parents.  Care is taken during a nest exchange because Western Gulls are waiting for their chance to snatch an egg or a nestling.  Rarely are eggs left unattended. 

 The Brandt's smaller, slimmer relative, the Pelagic Cormorant, nests near Bird Island on the sheer sides of steep cliffs; they are not as social nor gregarious as the Brant's. (Pelagic Cormorant photo by Mike Baird)  

Their mating displays are similar to their larger cousin, with the addition of wing flapping to show off their beautiful white flanks. 

Once they find a nest site they tend to be faithful to it for the rest of their lives.  Nests become large due to reuse.  They lay 3 - 5 eggs - would love to get a photo of Pelagic Cormorant nestlings crowded into their precariously positioned nest.  Hmm, maybe a return trip is in order for late June.

BIRDING THE NORTH CENTRAL COAST

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park was nearly deserted. Perhaps it had to do with the $10. parking fee. The only trail that was open was the one to the falls overlook. Photo shows 80 ft. McWay Falls flowing down granite cliffs at Partington Cove (see video at end of post). Pigeon Guillemots were nesting behind the falls. Two Condors soared overhead. Wilson's Warbler, Wrentit, and Olive-sided Flycatcher were singing in the dense brush along the path to the falls. A few miles north, and about 500 yds. past the Coast Art Gallery is a popular area for viewing Condors. Unfortunately, the dense fog made Condor observation impossible.

Point Lobos State Park. Fortunately the fog had lifted. Pelagic Cormorants were nesting on rocky promontories. It is amazing the eggs do not fall into the sea. Pigeon Guillemots were nesting in the cliffs. About a mile or so out were numerous feeding Humpback Whales. I have never seen such a display of breaching, spouts, tails and backs. One of the perks of bird watching along California's Central Coast is the unexpected nature sightings.