There are several  cormorant species found around the estuary and lower reaches of our rivers.
Who doesn’t enjoy watching these birds sitting along the estuary, or perched in trees along river banks with their wings spread out. So why do they do this? Cormorants dive under water to catch their prey but unlike non diving birds their feathers are not as waterproof which allows them to dive in the first place. It does mean however that they need to ‘spread their wings and tail feathers” to dry out after each meal or they would lose their body temperature. Amazing how nature provides for all the different needs of different birds. The little cormorants have been observed eating upto 30 small eels and fish each day. Tough life having to fish – dry out – fish – dry out etc that many times each day! They also like to the occasional crab, frog and insect.