ML469519301

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Media notes

Blue chip hopper

Observation details

Count of Pelagic Cormorants (visible adults and chicks) on nests and roosting on structures at west end of P.A. Harbor. Two main sites: 1) the big blue chip hopper just west of the Boat Haven boat launch, and 2) a dilapidated old structure sitting on pilings on the waterfront by the McKinley mill. On chip hopper - at least 87 well-built nests with adults standing with chicks or incubating, along with several poor-built nests with adults still at nests. Count of visible birds on chip hopper = 126 adults and 109 chicks. At the dilapidated building (can’t see in the shadows real well) - at least 67 well-built nests with chicks or incubating birds, along with an unknown number of poor-built nests. Count of visible birds at dilapidated building = 117 adults and 50+ chicks. Additional 58 PECOs roosting on pilings nearby. Most well-built nests have chicks ranging in size from small snake-heads to large mostly feathered chicks. Typical chicks are still mostly downy, about 2/3rds to 3/4ths grown. Some fully-grown, totally-feathered fledglings are roosting on pilings nearby. Conservative nesting population estimate this year = 165 +/- nesting pairs, or ~330 +/- total breeding adults. They seem to be doing very well, with many nests having three or four large chicks sitting up or sprawling in the nests. This may be the largest PECO nesting colony on the north Olympic Peninsula. Note: My estimate for the same colony in July 2021 was 150 +/- nesting pairs, with 83 well-built nests on the chip hopper, and in June 2022 was the same number of pairs with 85 well-built nests on the chip hopper. I found a spot in the McKinley mill this time to get a better view of the dilapidated building, where I could see more nests.

Technical information

Model

COOLPIX B700

ISO

100

Focal length

4.3 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/3.3

Shutter speed

1/1250 sec

Dimensions

5184 pixels x 3888 pixels

Original file size

7.27 MB