Bird Calls Radio's Bird of the Day for Tuesday, Aug. 16

The Bird Calls Radio Bird of the Day for Tuesday, Aug. 16, is the double-crested cormorant. These cormorants are common along lakes, rivers and Long Island Sound throughout spring, summer and winter. They head south for winter, but are replaced by great cormorants on Long Island Sound in the winter.

Double-crested cormorants are large water birds, mostly black with colorful beak and mysterious green eyes. They are often seen swimming in the water, resembling a snake with its skinny neck and head above water. They are also seen often on rocks with their wings spread, drying in the sun.

Cormorants are appreciated by birdwatchers, but despised by many fishermen, especially those who make their living catching fish. Cormorants eat lots of fish, often the size prized by fishermen. This sometimes leads to the slaughter of cormorants by fishermen, as happened several years ago on Lake Ontario.

Be sure to check out Bird Calls every Saturday from 3 to 4 p.m. on WSTC/WNLK AM1400/1350 (in S. CT and nearby NY) or www.wstcwnlk.com from anywhere in the world (where there’s Internet access, that is.) Thanks for checking in.