Sharonn Huffman wrote:

<< (1) My friends in Ballard (who do not subscribe to Tweeters) are fascinated
by the large numbers of cormorants they have seen along the Ship Canal --
the perching in poplars is what has their attention. Cormorant feet aren't
well adapted to tree perching; poplar trees are not well adapted to being
perched upon. Something quite irresistible must be luring the birds to such
uncomfortable accommodations. Comments? >>

The Cormorants at the Green River at Smith Street and Russell Road in Kent
continue to increase in numbers. Monday there were 5 of them perched on the 6
inch plastic pipe that is strung across and about 20 feet above the river at
this spot. I've always assumed that were attracted to this place because as
Sharonn wrote, their feet are not well adapted to a more narrow perch.
However, there is a 1/4 inch steel cable that is strung across the river
supporting the pipe, and one of the 5 was perched directly on the cable.
His/her feet were snuggly wrapped around the cable and appeared to be just as
stable as the others, and made no attempt to step back onto the pipe which was
only a few inches behind and below it.

Also, there is a similar pipe and cable strung across the river about a mile
upstream from the Russell Road crossing, and I have never seen Cormorants
there. The Russell Road crossing must be a better fishing spot, even though
it has much more bicycle and pedestrian traffic on the river's edge.

Jim Brewster
Kent