Cormorant Numbers in Central Alberta

[mikefromcanmore]

Spent the last few days fishing and seeing them every where. We use to see them every now and again. Saw 4 groups of 10 to 15 per group lift off the Dickson Trout Pound and onto the Main Reservoir , it's full to the top bye and bye.Trout Pound is a bust algae bloom, green top to bottom. Next day saw a couple on a wide spot on the Raven and 3 at Beaver Lake near Carolina. Is anyone else seeing the same?

[CardiacCowboy]

Had noticed more than usual at various spots along the bow in Calgary

[buckman]

Cormorants are on the rise all over Alberta. They are fish catching machines.

I see them in groups of 20 +all along the bow river.

Stocked trout are easy prey for them.

Back in the UK we could shoot them as vermin,however they are now protected, and causing havoc on many fisheries.

Filthy disgusting birds as far as I am concerned,right up there with crows and magpies.

[Sharpie]

I bet a 9 iron on the islands in early June might work.

[barbless]

I have heard there has been some discussion on opening a season on them but that is it. Discussion. They out number the pelicans big time now out at Crawling Valley. It was always called pelican island. They had to move to a different spot and not as many of the big white (pterodactyl) flying beasts for sure. I think they need to re-assesses their population and the damage they cause to the eco systems.

[trigger7mm]

We should be able to shoot those flying rats anytime we see one. They are nothing but a dirty nuisance.

[WV911]

They are more than a nuisance.

I have a cottage in Ontario and these birds do a lot of damage besides eating fish.

There are several islands on our lake where they have roosted and the trees are decimated from their excrement. All the trees are dead and stained white. You can't go within 100 yds of shore for the disgusting smell.

They should all be killed now before they breed any larger flocks than they are already. They are absolutely no good for anything.

[jungleboy]

They are more than a nuisance.

I have a cottage in Ontario and these birds do a lot of damage besides eating fish.

There are several islands on our lake where they have roosted and the trees are decimated from their excrement. All the trees are dead and stained white. You can't go within 100 yds of shore for the disgusting smell.

They should all be killed now before they breed any larger flocks than they are already. They are absolutely no good for anything.

There is an island on Lac la Nonne that has the trees being killed from the cormorants nesting in them .

[CardiacCowboy]

Hmm now to think of it have seen many less pelicans on the bow where I usually see them. Might be some relationship.

[thumper]

I often wonder how many pelicans and cormorants the BC and Alberta trout stocking programs support. Even loons, osprey, Bald eagle and Great blue heron numbers seem to be doing very well at stocked lakes and ponds. I think that the huge numbers of invasive Prussian carp in Southern Alberta are artificially inflating Pelican, Cormorant and Gull numbers. Where the carp congregate in shallow water - like at Frank Lake near High River, the bird numbers are pretty impressive!

[buckman]

I often wonder how many pelicans and cormorants the BC and Alberta trout stocking programs support. Even loons, osprey, Bald eagle and Great blue heron numbers seem to be doing very well at stocked lakes and ponds. I think that the huge numbers of invasive Prussian carp in Southern Alberta are artificially inflating Pelican, Cormorant and Gull numbers. Where the carp congregate in shallow water - like at Frank Lake near High River, the bird numbers are pretty impressive!

You are probably correct about the carp increasing the number of flying fish eating predators. Problem is they eat trout,pike,walleyes and anything else they can catch as well.

If they open a season/cull for cormorants I don't think many hunters will bother shooting them unless its by chance on a duck/goose hunt.

[MountainTi]

You are probably correct about the carp increasing the number of flying fish eating predators. Problem is they eat trout,pike,walleyes and anything else they can catch as well.

If they open a season/cull for cormorants I don't think many hunters will bother shooting them unless its by chance on a duck/goose hunt.

Don't need a season. Treat them like magpies and coyotes

[urban rednek]

The cormorant population is rebounding throughout North America. Besides local observations, these threads have links to some interesting articles:

http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=355686
http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=360854
http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=364768
http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=385472

[CardiacCowboy]

Interesting reading,

Probably one of those problems only government can help. Targeted cull of nests/eggs for a few years might be a good start.

The cormorant population is rebounding throughout North America. Besides local observations, these threads have links to some interesting articles:

http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=355686
http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=360854
http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=364768
http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=385472

[KGB]

We were at the Dolberg lake yesterday and saw a group of 8 birds sitting on a dead tree. They looked pretty healthy. Saw them catching fish out of the lake too.