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Posted by Brian Rapoza on 16:39:42 01/25/09
The Neotropic Cormorant was still present this morning on the row of rocks just offshore, about 1/2 mile beyond the end of Boca Chica Road on Big Coppitt Key in Monroe County.
When I arrived just before 11:00 AM, three Double-crested Cormorants were perched on the rocks, along with many Royal Terns and a few Sandwich Terns and Brown Pelicans. I continued to the pond for a quick scan, finding a Great White Heron and a variety of shorebirds (Black-bellied, Wilson's, Semipalmated and Piping Plover, Lesser Yellowlegs, Ruddy Turnstone, Least Sandpiper, Dunlin and Short-billed Dowitcher.) Returning to the rocks, I could see a couple of cormorants swimming behind the rocks. By the time I set up my scope, the Neotropic had hauled out just a few feet from one of the Double-crested. The small size of the Neotropic, along with the dark orange throat pouch bordered in white, were readily apparent in the scope. It was still there when I departed about 11:30 AM.
Boca Chica Road is at mile marker 10.7 on the Overseas Highway (US 1); turn left at the Shell gas station/Circle K and drive 3 miles to the end of the road.
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