This afternoon at the quarry island opposite the Shrum Mound in Columbus
I observed from one vantage point on shore ~35 gt blue heron nests, and
~15 nests of d-c cormorants. There could have been many more of each on
the back side of the island; getting a look at this side requires
getting permission to bushwhack out (freely granted, but difficult) from
the gals who run the horse farm on the far shore. Also present, floating
offshore, were what I imagine were the two herring gulls that attempted
nesting there last year, likely making another try after spending the
winter here.
        The ~12 pairs of b-c night-herons I saw here earlier have apparently
flown the coop for their secret rookery site; this has not been known to
be located on the locally rare island sites. This is the smallest
cormorant number I've seen in recent years, and I wonder if the ODNR has
gone ahead with their plans to reduce their numbers--even if the other
nesters don't seem to mind.
Bill Whan
Cols

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