Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)
Species
Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo). Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on February 25th 2012.
Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on February 25th 2012.
(1/400th sec at f14. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo). Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on September 21st 2014.
Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on September 21st 2014.
(1/400th sec at f13. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo). Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on September 6th 2015.
Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on September 6th 2015.
(1/1250th sec at f14. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)

Description

L: 70 - 102 cm; WS: 121 - 160 cm

A large and conspicuous waterbird, the Cormorant has a primitive appearance with its long neck making it appear almost reptilian. Regarded by some as black, sinister and greedy, Cormorants are supreme fishermen which can bring them into conflict with anglers, and they have been persecuted in the past.

Cormorants are found all round the British coast, and increasingly inland as well.

They breed on cliff ledges on sea coasts, or in trees at lakes or coasts.

British birds don't migrate, but upwards of 24000 birds over-winter here.

It is on the British amber list owing to breeding being concentrated at a few sites.

Sightings

22-Mar-2024 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
16-Mar-2024 : Standlake Common, Oxon (8)
15-Mar-2024 : Radley Lakes, Oxon
16-Feb-2024 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
02-Feb-2024 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
31-Jan-2024 : Slimbridge, Glos
26-Jan-2024 : Standlake Common, Oxon (5)
16-Jan-2024 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
04-Jan-2024 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
01-Jan-2024 : Standlake Common, Oxon (9)

26-Dec-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
15-Dec-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
08-Dec-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
17-Nov-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
07-Nov-2023 : Slimbridge, Glos
22-Oct-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon
22-Sep-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
13-Sep-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
18-Aug-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (20)
28-Jul-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
02-Jun-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (5)
19-May-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
28-Apr-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
27-Apr-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (3)
21-Apr-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (3)
20-Apr-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (12)
17-Apr-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (8)
16-Apr-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (6)
04-Apr-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
03-Apr-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (4)
19-Mar-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (9)
15-Mar-2023 : Otmoor, Oxon (2)
11-Mar-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (13)
03-Mar-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
26-Feb-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (13)
19-Feb-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (18)
05-Feb-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (8)
01-Feb-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (7)
20-Jan-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
06-Jan-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
02-Jan-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
01-Jan-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon

26-Dec-2022 : Standlake Common, Oxon
20-Dec-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
25-Nov-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
20-Nov-2022 : Standlake Common, Oxon (14)
13-Nov-2022 : Standlake Common, Oxon (15)
04-Nov-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
18-Oct-2022 : Standlake Common, Oxon
18-Oct-2022 : Otmoor, Oxon (2)