Cormorant places breakfast order

I thought I'd discovered a major difference between cormorants and herons. Cormorants swim, but do herons? This cormorant was at the pool when I arrived and I did startle it but it just flew to the other side and then went in and had a swim. I don't think I've ever seen herons swimming, but I found this report on BirdForum which suggests that they do although it is not usual behaviour, whereas cormorants are quite happy bobbing about in the water. Although could it be that herons are just sneaky?

The cormorant didn't have much luck with catching anything for breakfast and flew away, first up to the tall conifer and then back towards Uppermill. I wonder if he lives at the heronry in the Delph New Road area?

I'm curious now as to whether I will ever see the cormorant and the heron at the same time.

More mallard activity - Donald and Betty, and either Bill or Ben who was chased away after trying to get intimate with Betty. Apparently, female mallards have corkscrew shaped vaginas to make it difficult for unwanted mates. The drakes have developed corkscrew shaped penises to compensate. Crazy nature, eh?!

#cormorant #mallard