Point Lobos: Nesting Brandt’s Cormorants

Brandt’s Cormorants Nesting on Clifftop

Male Brandt’s Cormorant Carrying Flowers as Nesting Material

Brandt’s Cormorants Sitting on Seaweed Nests

Brandt’s Cormorant Mating Display

Pair of Brandt’s Cormorants Showing Blue Throat Pouches

Brandt’s Cormorant and Western Gull

Brandt’s Cormorant Nesting Colony on Bird Island

View of Bird Island (background left) from China Cove Trail

Brandt’s cormorants are nesting now along the China Cove Trail at Point Lobos State Park near Monterey, California. These sea birds have spectacular blue throat pouches and turquoise eyes during breeding season. The nesting material consists of seaweed and plants collected by the males. This year some of the birds decided to nest right beside the trail, so it is a real treat for photographers!