Cormorants

One of Europe's largest colonies of cormorants is amassed in the forest 1km south of Juodkrantė. Wooden steps lead from the road to a viewing platform where the panorama of thousands of nests amid pine trees – not to mention the noise of the 6500-strong colony – is astonishing. Cormorants arrive in early February to pick and rebuild their nests. By May chicks are screaming for food.

Cormorants are regarded as invaders that take over herons' nests. Fishers blame the cormorants in particular for reduced catches, but the species is protected.Read more