There were four cormorants at Falmer Pond today, the most I’ve seen there for a long time. It was tricky to get all four in shot, but here’s three of them together, neatly lined up on the convenient standing posts out by the central island.

The fourth was opposite them, laying claim to one of the ‘No Fishing’ signs.

A couple of the cormorants eventually moved away from there, to the second of the ‘No Fishing’ signs. Two into one doesn’t go, so a minor spat broke out over ownership of this piece of prime real estate.

They settled their differences after a little more posturing and swam back to the far side of the pond where there are standing posts for everyone.

Camera note: all photos taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.

It was a much brighter start to the day this morning (though the payback is torrential rain this evening). The cormorants (yes, plural) were out on Falmer Pond. The unanswered question is whether they are a breeding pair.

The sun just about made it above the hills before it was time for me to head in to work.

I was back at the pond at lunchtime. One of the cormorants was keeping close to the island, but the second was near the shore and took up its usual lookout on the No Fishing sign. I am slowly coming to the realization that it can read and does understand what the sign says. This is the place to stand when you are not fishing. Seems logical to me.

Camera note: all photos taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.

After last week’s fishing exploits, the cormorant seems to have taken heed of the signs and was back on his favoured perch this morning.

He stayed there a short while and then took to the air. He circled the pond several times before deciding on an altogether higher perch.

He seemed quite happy up there, apart from a lengthy dispute with one particular branch.

I left him still tugging on the branch, but I’ll close tonight’s blog with a slightly earlier photo taken as he circled around the pond.

Camera note: all photos taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.