-Mongrel- Posted August 26, 2012 Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 (edited) Walking the dogs this afternoon when I noticed large numbers of relatively large birds perched along some power lines. My interest was piqued by the size of them and, it wasn't until one or two did the characteristic wing flap and stretch that they do, that I suddenly started to realise what they were. This was confirmed by a couple more that came down the river Adur that we were walking along and then diverted across to join them. Anyone else seen cormorants in these numbers and anyone know why? I've never seen this density before, yes you see maybe half a dozen along the tidal stretches sat on moorings and similar, but also I've never seen them on power lines. Apologies for the quality, it was on the Blackberry and at distance, I counted 41 birds... Are they back on the General licence yet, and if so what cart size would you recommend? Edited August 26, 2012 by -Mongrel- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert 888 Posted August 26, 2012 Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 Go on then what are they?. cormerants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reabrook Posted August 26, 2012 Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 Used to see them like that along the M5 through Somerset. Sometimes they were perching/roosting in the 100's on power lines or trees. It is a wonder there were any fish left in the local waterways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Mongrel- Posted August 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 Go on then what are they?. cormerants. Yes, sorry mate, I thought I'd put it in the post as well as the sub-title, edited now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutchie the white hunter Posted August 26, 2012 Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 (edited) cormorants even or sha+s, either way protected unfortunately,but hey you should know that ? as you are an expert when it comes to protected species Edited August 26, 2012 by hutchie the white hunter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert 888 Posted August 26, 2012 Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 Yes, sorry mate, I thought I'd put it in the post as well as the sub-title, edited now. Cheers thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Mongrel- Posted August 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 Hopefully the winking smilie after the 'are they back on the licence' comment will be enough for most people to understand it was a tongue in cheek comment Hutchie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutchie the white hunter Posted August 26, 2012 Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 now now you should know by now everything on here gets scrutinised !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrispti Posted August 26, 2012 Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 Iv seen them like that in Weymouth...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard.Hosgood Posted August 26, 2012 Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 Always pylons on the Exe with loads of the things on. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon pete Posted August 26, 2012 Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 approx 32 comerants sat there ,each bird eats about 1lb of fish each per day , 32 x 1lb = 32lb per day 32 x 365 lb = 11,680lb per year and thats just for that lot now try and do the maths for the hole lot in the UK , I THINK THEY NEED TO GO ON THE GENERAL LICENCE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutchie the white hunter Posted August 26, 2012 Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 approx 32 comerants sat there ,each bird eats about 1lb of fish each per day , 32 x 1lb = 32lb per day 32 x 365 lb = 11,680lb per year and thats just for that lot now try and do the maths for the hole lot in the UK , I THINK THEY NEED TO GO ON THE GENERAL LICENCE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Mongrel- Posted August 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 I THINK THEY NEED TO GO ON THE GENERAL LICENCE On a serious note, did I not read recently that this was under serious consideration at the moment? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stu nesling Posted August 26, 2012 Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 a licence can be obtained for limited numbers for protection of fisheries. same loads as you would use for geese!. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Mongrel- Posted August 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 approx 32 comerants sat there ,each bird eats about 1lb of fish each per day , 32 x 1lb = 32lb per day 32 x 365 lb = 11,680lb per year and thats just for that lot now try and do the maths for the hole lot in the UK , I THINK THEY NEED TO GO ON THE GENERAL LICENCE There were 41 actually, there are more on the pylon itself so that is nearly 15,000lbs a year, EVEN MORE REASON! Wonder what they taste like? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zab10 Posted August 26, 2012 Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 they are under review at the moment and hopefully common sense will prevail and they will be on the general licence soon . ive seen dozens of them in one place . 2 winters ago when we had the big freeze the river earn in perthshire was covered in them as everywhere else had froze . they ate that much fish they couldnt take off and were walking about in the fields at the side if the river . ive also seen big numbers on loch ken in hard weather whilst pike fishing and most pike caught there had some form of scar from them . if they do end up on the general licence i will take great pleasure in shooting them . after the river earn they were refered to as the black death in the fishing column in the sun and a better name i cant think of Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zab10 Posted August 26, 2012 Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 Wonder what they taste like? im gonna guess fishy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Mongrel- Posted August 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 LOL, following that thinking duck should taste... weedy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zab10 Posted August 26, 2012 Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 yip , compare a wigeon to a mallard feeding on barley stubble or even worse a shoveler . plenty hoi sin sauce helps though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Mongrel- Posted August 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon pete Posted August 26, 2012 Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 if they do go on GL i cant wait ,just think ,you wait till they do under and you then wait till they pop up ,lights out and a big ploom of water lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vermincinerator Posted August 26, 2012 Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 (edited) if they do go on GL i cant wait ,just think ,you wait till they do under and you then wait till they pop up ,lights out and a big ploom of water lol Not that easy im afraid, they present a very low profile on the water and do not stay on the surface for long, i tracked one up and down a lake for nearlty 20 mins before he presented a shot and thats only because he popped up and flapped his wings right in my sight picture. A 55grn HP to the chest from my 22-250 sorted him PDQ. Ian. Edited August 26, 2012 by Vermincinerator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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