Cormorants establishing new rookery

Observation by Toby Anungazuk Jr.:

I haven’t posted a photo in years. Here is a whole bunch of young cormorants on the cliff - along with three adult ones that came, three other adult ones came in for a landing but went back out. This is the first time that they used this spot as a nesting location. Less than a quarter mile to the left there used to be a long time peregrine nesting site, but sadly they did not nest there. We believe this was because of the bird flu. Those peregrines were known to not scavenge dead birds - in fact when you scared them off from a bird/duck that they are eating, you come back later, it wouldn’t be touched again by them. Toby Anungazuk Jr

Comment by Mike Brook:

So far no avian influenza reports (either confirmed or otherwise) for cormorants or peregrines, though I'm expecting some new data from USFWS any day now. There have, of course, been a lot of reports of raptors and seabirds in general, mostly bald eagles and gulls. The peregrine hypothesis certainly seems plausible.

Comment from Gay Sheffield:

Pretty interesting post! My only thought to add to the mix is...is the fishing any better in the new location?