Cormorant  (Phalacrocorax carbo)

This bird occurs around the coastline of Great Britain, but is absent from much of north east Scotland (3). Although typically thought of as a sea bird, inland breeding colonies do occur, these are now increasing after being largely wiped out due to persecution since medieval times (5). Globally this is a very widespread species, occurring in most temperate areas of the Old World (6).

Coastal populations occur in shallow inshore marine waters (6) where there are rocky islands or cliffs (3). Inland colonies nest in trees close to freshwater lakes, reservoirs and gravel pits (3), and these are increasing (5).