Migrant triangles of large birds in evening sky

Photo: Arne Ader
Translation: Liis
Cormorants
 
Cormorants    Kormoran    Phalacrocorax carbo
 
In the height of summer the autumn migration of birds proceeds on the coast.
 
Noticing a largish “goose triangle” in the evening and not in the best of light the question might arise: are geese already migrating?
 
The cormorant migration is underway; they have a quite similar flight image to that of geese and with regard to size they are not much smaller; even flying in triangles is common. The weight of larger males is over three kilos, that of females reaches two and a half. The wingspan stays below 1 ½ metres. Mature birds leave an impression of black (metallic sheen on the plumage), only the beak is lighter and a small light leg patch (see the second bird from left in Arne’s photo). Young birds have a brown plumage, belly is noticeably light.
 
As an estimate at least 10 000 cormorant pairs nested in Estonia. We will see migrants on the coast for a long time and some birds until the sea freezes.
 
See the migration observations from Põõsaspea: LINK
 
… and the number of cormorants beginning with August: LINK


 

EST EN DE ES RU  FORUM

       

My Nature Calendar

Help to do Looduskalender.ee better - send Your observations about nature.

History