The high count for the Double-Crested Cormorants was 1,594
active nests in December, which means there is a population of roughly 3,100
using the island (incredible for an area of roughly 1km)! Currently there are
only about 100 birds still with nests and chicks. As the cormorants are winding
down their nesting, the mixed wading bird colony is taking over the bottom of
the cliffs. Right now there are about 500 Brown Pelicans nesting and 12 Great
Blue Herons. The pelicans either nest in shrubs or grasses on the ground, while
the herons believe it or not, are nesting up high in the Cárdon Cactus! It is
so weird to see such a large and awkward bird nesting in cactus, but that is
how they do it here. The pelicans have a beautiful red or orange gular sack
that really stands out. Both adults take turns incubating the nests. I have
seen them flying in twigs and other materials to form their nests and even feed
each other.
Despite the beauty of life, this place never lets you forget
the role death plays in the cycle. While conducting my survey the other day on
Isla Alcatraz, I caught a glimpse of a falcon eating something. As I got a
better look, it turned out to be a Peregrine Falcon ripping apart what I think
was an Eared Grebe. Standing nearby was a Black Vulture just waiting for the
falcon to turn over the scraps of its meal.
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| Brown Pelican flies in to relieve mate |
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| Pelicans at their nests |
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| 2 white Ibis feeding on Alcatraz |
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| Peregrine Falcon rips apart what looks like an Eared Grebe |
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