Date: 12/13/25 7:40 am From: Damien J. Simbeck via groups.io <tnbarredowl...> Subject: [ALbirds] Witnessing a biological/meteorological event
I made a quick trip to Wheeler Dam this morning to see what is present before our arctic blast. Each year an interesting natural phenomenon occurs and today was one of those days. When I arrived at the dam it looked like a ghost town. I actually counted cormorants-96. Gulls were also absent (5 Bonaparte's, 16 Ring-billed and 4 Herring).
Each year when cold weather moves in, water temperatures drop. When they fall below 42F, threadfin shad have difficulty acclimating and 50-75% of the population dies (a female lays 1-2 million eggs each spring, so there are LOTS of shad in our reservoirsthis time of year). Gulls, Cormorants and Pelicans have feasts. Since this occurs in the reservoirs, these birds leave their fishing spots at the dam to enjoy the smorgasbord.
Before I left the dam, numerous Cormorants returned. My final count ended at 458, still far below the 4000-5000 that have been present. Also returning was the Neotropic Cormorant, not present when I first arrived.
Damien SimbeckKillen AL
Damien Simbeck
Killen AL
Sent from my (non-Apple) phone. You can teach an old dog new tricks!!
