Kathy and Tweeters,

The most unusual Double-crested Cormorant roost that I know of is
located on utility wires that cross the Skagit River just north of
downtown Mount Vernon, Skagit County, close to Interstate 5. I believe
that at least 200 cormorants roost here (I've never stopped to
actually count them) most nights during the winter.

Double-crests seem to roost most often in trees, as you and others
noted. There was (and probably still is) a roost of up to several
dozen birds in Stanley Park, Vancouver, B.C., in tall conifers just
east of Siwash Rock on the seawall.

Last September, I observed a huge Double-crest roost a bit farther
afield-- on Bolon Island, next to US Highway 101 immediately north of
Reedsport on the Oregon coast. I'm sure there were at least 500 birds
there, and most of the tall conifers they were using were dead--
presumably killed by the accumulation of droppings over years and
years. This roost site is probably well known to many Oregon birders,
but it was new to me.

Does anyone know more about the Mount Vernon roost-- what times of
year it is used, or a maximum count of birds? If so, I'd be interested
in hearing about it.

Wayne C. Weber
Kamloops and Delta, BC
contopus at shaw.ca

----- Original Message -----
From: <kjandrich at netscape.net>
To: <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Monday, November 18, 2002 11:44 AM
Subject: Cormorant Roosts


>
> Hi Tweeters,
>
> I was killing a little time in Edmonds before attending a birthday
Whirleyball party and discovered a double crested cormorant roost at
Echo Lake behind the Costco on Aurora. It is on the east side of the
lake. I saw about 25 cormorants but I think when all are settled in
there might be up to 50 because afterwards I saw at least 7 more
flying in to roost.
>
> There is a large roost at the Montlake cut behind the big hull
storage barn off of the E12 parking lot for Husky stadium. Last
spring I was counting them and got up to around 150 before an eagle
flyby scared them. I think I missed about 50 more. If you ever want
to see the breeding plumage it is perfect to go there in the evening
in spring. Best seen from the other side of the cut though, by going
left instead of straight to Foster island from the Museum of History
and Industry parking lot. This would be a great photo op for the
photographers.
>
> Does anyone know of other roosts around here?
>
> Kathy
>
> Kathy Andrich
> Roosting in Renton
> kjandrich at netscape.net
>
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