On the North East River in Cecil County this weekend, I went for a little boat ride in the frigid air (about 30 degrees).  The water temp was showing 36 on the surface. I noted that the return of the larger larus species had returned in full swing. 

I also noted Double-crested cormorants. At first, I saw two and thought, “These guys are up here awfully late!” Then I noticed a whole raft of them roosting on the river near Cara Cove.  Approximately 200 of them!  I know they exist on the bay in the winter, but I do not ever remember seeing such a large number this far up the bay so late in the year.  I cover a large part of the North East River, Furnace Bay, and the Susquehanna Flats on my Christmas Count area and have, in fact, never recorded Cormorant.  

-Hope they stick around for this weekend’s Elkton Count! 

Good Birding!
Chris Starling