The explosion in double…

The explosion in double crested cormorants numbers over the last 10-15 years is obvious to anyone who has spent time on the waters of Lake Ontario and surrounding bodies. As a child growing up in the early 60 on the Lake Ontario shore in the Hamilton area they were just never encountere. I recal seeing a flock in the early 80 was astounded to see them come closer, sure that they CAGO. Now along the Bay of Quinte this fall, there was flocks lasting several minutes fly overhead, certainly in the several thousands if not more.

The impact to fauna is devastating, with once flourishing islands reduced to stinking piles of deadfall trees with no life. They certainly have a place in the ecosystem, but left un-checked the numbers will continue to grow and the devastation will spread to smaller lakes which may not be able to support this once native bird which now apparently has no predator or other means to keep populations in check.

An open season is truly required to balance the ecosystem and contrary to what some media may have discussed I don’t believe everyone with a gun will be out there shooting 5O birds a day. It’s just too time intensive and cost prohibitive. More realistically, just as I will if so enabled, folks will go out a couple of times in the summer and shoot a box or two of shell, trying to support a good cause.

Regard,

Gary