Other than a gentle whir of wings, there is nothing to indicate that a flock of Double-crested Cormorants are quietly flying overhead. Shortly before sundown, they can be seen moving swiftly through the sky, perhaps heading for a nearby roosting sight.
While Double-crested Cormorants are interesting birds to watch,
their growing presence at Reelfoot Lake is having damaging and irreversible effects on the local habitat, including the Cypress trees, many of which have been around for hundreds of years.
These birds strip the bark off of the trees and, over time, their acidic droppings kill the trees and surrounding vegetation.
“A nuisance may be merely a right thing in the wrong place — like a pig in the parlor instead of the barnyard.” ~George Sutherland
walking on a country road 
Love the photos of them in the air. 🙂
Thanks, Frank!
It is interesting that their numbers are increasing there. Has there been habitat loss elsewhere that has driven them to new habitat here at this lake, I wonder?
That is very likely. From what I’ve read, they move from one roosting place to another in the same location doing damage, then move on to a new location. They have also caused damage to Cypress trees at Kentucky Lake (the Tennessee River).
Excellent captures, Rebecca! I didn’t know that they flew in formation like that.
This was the first time that I had ever seen them in the air. They are really fast flyers.
Well, a “like” for the photos and I’ve never seen Cormorants in the air, just in the water and once at Coan Lake sitting on a piece of cement drying their wings. The formation of them in air was amazing. But no “like” for what they are doing to the trees. Destructive in every way – hope the DNR can come up with a solution.
Me too. It is so sad to see what is happening to these trees that are so much a part of what makes this area special.
Hopefully they’ll come up with a solution to move the birds safely.