Six other members joined me on this ad hoc trip on the EL "Cygnet" with the specific objective to obtain more accurate numbers of the Darter/cormorant breeding in the willows etc along the eastern bank of Black Mountain Peninsula. This was in part due to hearing that the ACT Water Skiing Association is proposing to develop a training facility at this very spot.
The pattern observed on 15 January was confirmed except that there was at least one Little Black Cormorant nest in the initial group of Little Pied Cormorant nests close to the entrance to Sullivan's Creek. Again the main breeding area was over a couple of 100 metres up to the start of Gary Owen Drive (rather than beyond this as previously noted in error), most of which should be able to be observed from the adjacent bike path. A total of 15 Little Black Cormorant and 7 Little Pied Cormorant nests were confirmed, with breeding of the former at all stages including immature birds and a couple of nests containing dark downy young. By contrast the latter seemed to be either sitting on the nest or have recently fledged very orange (particularly around the face) juveniles present.
By far the most common species here was the Little Black Cormorant with more than 120 birds seen compared with about 35 Little Pied Cormorants. Numbers were difficult to estimate due to their mobility. As previously, scattered along this area were at least seven active Darter nests, again with breeding at all stages. Three of these were further down the peninsula. Of the 16 Darters seen, 7 were males in breeding plumage. Again only several Great Cormorants were seen here, with no confirmed breeding activity, though there were more of this species round Springbank Island, including at least 10 fishing with their smaller cousins at the start of the trip.
The extent of breeding compares with that on Molonglo Reach, with more Little Black Cormorant, about the same Little Pied Cormorant but fewer Darter nests present. It is hard to see how the water skiers won’t have an impact on this breeding activity of growing regional importance.
Jack Holland