A Cormorant on Alder Reach
The bare branches of the old alder on the banks of the river Ouse provide the perfect perch for the cormorants that live around Redhouse Ings. These voracious fish hunters catch their prey by diving into the water and swimming after the fish. They are unusual in that they produce no waterproofing oils to protect their plummage so can often be seen at a sunny perch with their wings outstretched drying themselves. Normally their feathers are black with a greenish tinge but, as can be seen from the photo, the more bronzed colour indicates that this one is breeding - bad news for the anglers!