Cormorant Encounters A New Birdwatching Hobby

Lao Huan, 86 years old, is one of the last fishermen who uses cormorants. Yanxiao, China. Photo by Peter Yan.

Birdwatching

I never really considered birdwatching a true hobby because I always thought you needed specific equipment for a passion—like rackets and balls, or paints and brushes.

But if I spent half an hour today filming cormorants at the park with my phone, does that count as a hobby?

This morning, I witnessed something incredible—a flock of cormorants (I counted seven) put on a synchronized swimming display! At the end, just like in a theater, they bowed together, settling on a log and spreading their wings. I compiled a short video with the best moments!

❣️ There are many cormorants in the UK; they live here year-round wherever there is water. In winter, their numbers can triple as more of them come to spend the season here.

❣️ Unlike geese, ducks, swans, and other waterfowl, their feathers absorb water and get wet, which allows them to dive deeper and be more agile hunters!

❣️ In China and Japan, these birds were used for fishing. Fishermen trained cormorants by putting special collars around their necks, preventing them from swallowing larger fish. The cormorants would return to the fishermen with their catch, receive a smaller fish as a reward, and continue hunting.

I also really want to see a kingfisher! I read that they are regularly spotted at Lady’s Pond.

To support my newfound hobby, I decided to become a member of The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds for just £5 a month. They should be sending me a quarterly magazine and some membership goodies!