Cormorants are gone
On our first tours this year we observed that our cormorant colony was gone. In 2007 we found them for the first time. There were around 150 cormorants that were breeding on 2 islands not far from Henningsvaer. These cormorants built beautiful nests on top of rocks out of seaweed and twigs. When we arrived to the island the cormorants were easily scared and flew off their nests. Some might think this is a beautiful sight or picture to take, but the truth is it will kill their population. As soon as the cormorants left their nests seagulls stole their eggs. We left immediately, but one week later all the nests were empty. We were not the only ones visiting the cormorant colony. It is a well known place for tourism and local people to take eggs and go fishing. Grey seals were not far from the islands and they attract boats, too. The cormorants had no offspring in 2007. After writing a letter to the officials a warning letter was sent out to all tour operators in Lofoten to stay away from these islands during breeding (April-June).
In 2008 we visited the cormorant islands in June and all nests were empty. Again the cormorants had no young in 2008. And now on the first of May there were no nests anymore. In 2009 the cormorants gave up breeding on these islands. Only around 50 cormorants were seen on the second islands and only a handful of nests were occupied.
This is a sad example of how uncontrolled tourism and other human actitivty can disturb wildlife.
here are some pictures from 2007 - 2009:
