Day 57: Counting

Russ and I got out on the water today for a boat census. Not censusing boats, but doing a census from the boat. Last week, we did the land based census for cormorants (Brandt's and Pelagics). This is how we get our annual estimate of the breeding population and it's done by counting the number of birds sitting on well-built nests around the island. Unfortunately, there are some places we can't see from land so we have to go to the boat to count those areas. But counting birds from a boat is no easy task and requires good, calm conditions on the water. Today we had a break in the wind so we went for it. Conditions were a bit rougher than is ideal, but we managed to get the count in. And in between counts, I managed to get a picture of a Rhino on the water.

Day 36: I want to nest, I don't want to nest, I want to nest...

Last post about Brandt's cormorants I mentioned they were building their nests in earnest and I was hopeful for them to be laying eggs soon. While I was off the island they did indeed start to lay eggs. But then they left again. All nesting attempts in our main study colonies were abandoned. And then they came back. They started nest building again, even some of the same birds that just abandoned their eggs, were back rebuilding in the same spot. Today, we had several nests that once again have eggs. This on again, off again, behavior is very hard to interpret and that makes it hard to predict what will happen with the latest wave of nest building. Hopefully, like the bird above, they will continue to gather nest material, build their nests, and lay eggs.

Day 26: The eye of the corm

Here's my vote for the prettiest eyes on the island. The bright blue eyes of the Brandt's Cormorant are irresistible. Last time I posted a picture of Brandt's,  I mentioned they were attending the colony in good numbers and I was hopeful for an early start to the breeding season. I'm still waiting. I had a very nervous few days last week when the cormorants mysteriously disappeared. The colonies were virtually empty, the one nest in our study colony that had eggs was abandoned, nest building ceased. Then, just a few days ago, they returned in even bigger numbers than before. Still no significant egg laying (we have one nest with eggs in the study colony) but I am once again hopeful.

On another note, I'm leaving the island tomorrow for two weeks so Farallon Photo a day will be on hiatus until I return.

Day 2: Spring Love

It's nest building time for Brandt's cormorants. An activity I am very happy to see them engaged in. After 3 years of very poor breeding success for Brandt's, they have begun returning in earnest over the past few days and birds can be seen courting, choosing mates, and building nests. Numbers are good for this time of year making me very hopeful for a successful season to come. The pair here can be seen showing off their bright blue gular (throat) pouches to each other as part of their courtship display.