... and welcome spring! We started this quarter with a stroll along the campus lagoon. Check out this site with more information on the lagoon's formation and current management from the Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration (CCBER).One of the species of birds that we observed was the Double-crested cormorant. They commonly are observed roosting on the eucalyptus trees near the edge of the lagoon, often with their wings spread out to dry. As described in the Cornell Lab of Ornithology website (a superb source of information!), the cormorants "have less preen oil than other birds, so their feathers can get soaked rather than shedding water like a duck’s. Though this seems like a problem for a bird that spends its life in water, wet feathers probably make it easier for cormorants to hunt underwater with agility and speed." Cool!
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