The Daily Bucket is a regular feature of the Backyard Science group. It is a place to note any observations you have made of the world around you. Rain, sun, wind...insects, birds, flowers...meteorites, rocks...seasonal changes...all are worthy additions to the bucket. Please let us know what is going on around you in a comment. Include, as close as is comfortable for you, where you are located. Each note is a record that we can refer to in the future as we try to understand the patterns that are quietly unwinding around us.
April 23, 2014
Salish Sea, Pacific Northwest
Bucket/photodiary celebrating the annual return of the local Pelagic Cormorants to the Anacortes ferry dock for their communal nesting. Oh yeah! It's a scene, and I love seeing it every year.
Here are some pics of what's happening right now, late April.
The only time I can observe them is when I'm on a ferry that is docked for loading or unloading traffic. It's a very short window of time, just a few minutes, so I'm either craning over the side ready to leap into the car to drive off the ferry, or jumping out after we park to hustle up two flights of stairs and turn on the camera before the boat leaves the dock. But seeing this annual nesting event is often the high point of a trip off the island, so I hustle. Hope the sun isn't in my face and it isn't raining.
Pelagic cormorants, strictly marine and only on the west coast of North America, are considered solitary even when nesting, but that is definitely not the case here at the ferry dock. The
dolphins and wingwalls that guide ferries into the dock are filled with perfect nesting spots for this small cormorant, and birds congregate here in large numbers to take advantage of them. The surrounding waters are plenty fishy too, for growing babies. Not sure why these cormorants are named "pelagic" since they live in nearshore waters, not out to sea.
In this view of the Anacortes ferry dock from shore, you can see the many pilings around the ferry presently tied up at the dock (the derelict single pilings in the foreground are what remain of the old cannery in this bay).
Hundreds of cormorants perch on these. It's a very busy and dynamic site as they come and go amongst them and the sea. Lots of posturing right now as they stake out their nesting sites. The ones I saw today were all breeding adults, with white rump patches. Some have white filoplumes on their breasts. Males and female look alike.
(more pics and spring behaviors below...)
(All photos by me. Full-size pics in Lightbox...click to enlarge)
The tops of the dolphins are not the only place to set up a nest. Any flat spot will do.
The compartments are like cormorant condos. Looks cozy doesn't it? Now think about what it's like with two full-size chicks plus a parent or two.
For nesting material they use bits of seaweed. Right now it's still wet, but shortly it will dry and be formed into a soft bowl for the eggs. The Pelagics will use their own guano to anchor the nest to the surface. Here's one bringing in some nesting material.
Every flat surface of sufficient size will be claimed...on top, under girders, along the sides.
You might be wondering what all the bars are for. They are not to protect juvenile cormorants from falling out! Ever since Washington State Ferries started replacing the wooden dolphins with these steel versions, they've been trying to deter the cormorants from nesting in the condos. Each year I see additional wires and bars that have been installed over the winter. Judge for yourself their efficacy.
I saw several pairs of cormorants actively nuzzling each other.
Others were busily grooming their glorious iridescent plumage.
Still others were sleeping. The second pic is one of the nuzzlers under the girder.
It's a busy and active time at the ferry dock! I don't go over to the mainland often, but when I do, I'll be watching to see what the cormorants are doing as the season progresses. Updates at the Bucket.
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April 23, 2014: Pelagic Cormorants have congregated at the dock, are choosing nest sites and gathering nesting material.
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Now it's time for your observations of the natural world in your backyard. What are you seeing?
And -
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