Though I lament the new, unrequested ‘AI summary’ that Google now foists upon researchers in response to almost any search request, annoyingly, it proved quite helpful and accurate when checked against several bonafide publications … so please forgive my first ever [and lazy] use of a dot-point AI synopsis.<\/p>\n
When asked, “… what is the difference between a shag and a cormorant”<\/em>, Google AI offered this as a general comparison:<\/p>\n So, while the purists can quibble over the differences\u2014shag or cormorant\u2014the common name used often depends on geographical location.\u00a0 While I was brought up to favour a ‘shag’… did I really<\/em> write that? … throughout this article, I will use both names, often interchangeably.\u00a0 But whatever you choose to call them, there seems to be a lot about this year.<\/p>\n This is underlined in a highly informative monthly news sheet, ‘Nature’s Rubik’ for Sanctuary Lakes, Point Cook [Tom Parkinson …\u00a0 https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/3hd4rztm<\/a> ].\u00a0 I have shamelessly copied his observations [pr\u00e9cised] as follows:<\/p>\n “… this spring has seen an unusual occurrence at Sanctuary Lakes: the sighting of all five varieties of Australian Cormorants around the main lake”<\/em>.<\/p>\n His brochure then continues:<\/p>\n “… although there are over forty species of cormorant worldwide, only five are endemic to Australasia: the Great, the Pied, the Little Pied, the Black, and the Darter.<\/em><\/p>\n Cormorants are one of the few species that can fly strongly over long distances, swim and dive to remarkable depths [see below] and walk [albeit a little comically].\u00a0 They are coastal rather than oceanic birds and have colonised Australia’s estuaries and inland waterways.<\/em><\/p>\n Cormorants live on fish, crustaceans, molluscs and sandworms.\u00a0 They dive from a swimming start on the surface, have excellent underwater vision\u2014a special nictitating membrane protects their eyes\u2014and can dive to depths of 30 metres with the help of their large, webbed feet.<\/em><\/p>\n After fishing, they often adopt their classic pose of holding their wings out in the sun to dry.\u00a0 Many theories have been suggested for this ‘spread-wing’ posture: for thermoregulation, to aid digestion, or to restore balance, but an in-depth study concluded that it is primarily to dry their plumage.”<\/em><\/p>\n By using a good pair of binoculars, a pleasant hour or two could be spent at the beach this summer spotting and identifying your favourite shag [or cormorant] … it’s hard not to be risqu\u00e9 on this topic … with a simple identification guide to our five common species as follows.<\/p>\n The Great Cormorant … stands about a metre tall, has a wingspan of one and a half metres, and is jet black with a golden bill and cheeks.<\/p>\n The Pied Cormorant … is relatively people-friendly, is the next largest, stands 70 cm high, is black and white with a long, grey, hooked bill and black legs and feet, and has a distinctive orange eye patch and bare skin at the throat.<\/p>\n The Little Black Cormorant is smaller [60 cm], slim, totally black [with a green\/purple sheen to its back], and has a slender, grey, hooked bill.<\/p>\n The Little Pied Cormorant is the smallest Australian species and is one of the most common waterbirds in Southeastern Australia.\u00a0 Standing 50 cm, it can often be seen perched, wings spread wide, on piers, sea walls or rocky beaches.\u00a0 Entirely black above, it is white below with the white of its underside extending to the eye in adult birds.\u00a0 It is a solitary bird and prefers to fish, feed, and fly alone.<\/p>\n The Darter Cormorant is roughly equal in size to its cousin, the Great Cormorant, with black and dark brown plumage and a short erectile crest at the nape of its neck.\u00a0 Built to fish, it quietly stalks and ambushes its prey, dives fast, and impales its target fish with its sharp, pointed bill.<\/p>\n My initial observation that: ‘… there are a lot more shags around this year’, turns out to likely be [1] true and [2] due to the weather, though note that I have studiously avoided any mention of the poison word\u2014climate\u2014to save the worry-worts, cataclysm-catastrophists, and Bowen-believers from over-heating and melting down.<\/p>\n A Tasmanian Government fact sheet: https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/4c6y9nva<\/a> offers an [author-edited] explanation for the recently observed increase in cormorant numbers, stating:<\/p>\n “… that between 2020 and 2023 Australia has experienced three consecutive annual La Ni\u00f1a events\u2014years that bring above average rainfall to Southeastern Australia.”<\/em><\/p>\n Authors note: the Australian wet La Ni\u00f1a hemicycle\u2014the other half being the dry El Ni\u00f1o\u2014form together an age-old, global, and eon-imbedded natural weather phenomenon that science now calls the ENSO [El Ni\u00f1o\u2013Southern Oscillation] … a real-life confirmation for Dorothea Mackellar’s nationally treasured lines ‘… a land of droughts and flooding rains’.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n When the ENSO phenomenon is in La Ni\u00f1a phase, it:<\/p>\n “… produces ideal spawning conditions for trout and native fish and an abundance of food for our cormorants which use these years to breed and build up their population numbers.”<\/em><\/p>\n When a La Ni\u00f1a cormorant breeding and feeding comfort zone on the eastern seaboard marries with a rapidly heating, parching, and drying continental centre\u2014particularly of the shallow evaporative lakes systems like Lake Eyre, the Coongie, and the Menindee complex\u2014the shags migrate our way, and who can blame them!<\/p>\n John Agar<\/em><\/p>\n Feature Writer<\/em><\/p>\n Hello<\/p>\n It is with some sadness that we say goodbye to our postmaster Ankur Bhambri.<\/p>\n In his seven years running the Lorne Post Office, Ankur has seen thousands of parcels come and go, and particularly during Covid (and since?) became arguably the biggest wine \u201cdistributor\u201d in Lorne. \u00a0The trick has always been to pick the time to collect your wine delivery without being sprung by one or more locals. \u00a0The theory was to get there at 9am when no-one was around, but everyone had that theory, so it didn\u2019t work!<\/p>\n Ankur has commuted daily from Geelong and his friendly, helpful and occasionally cheeky disposition has made him one of the characters of our town. \u00a0I spoke to Ankur briefly about his time in Lorne and started by asking him why he came to Lorne. \u00a0He said that he had holidayed here in his younger years and that he loved the town, so that when the opportunity to acquire the post office came up he jumped at it.<\/p>\n Given that you can now buy pretty much anything online, I asked Ankur what was the most unusual parcel he had handled. \u00a0He said he had once been asked to send 2 bicycles unpacked, but the most notable was a recent invasion of Thermomixes (whatever they are) and pizza ovens!<\/p>\n When I asked Ankur who was the biggest wine consumer in town, he was, as ever, diplomatic and declined to answer, but did say that the biggest wine delivery he had handled for one customer was 35 wine cartons. \u00a0Anyone want to own up?<\/p>\n Ankur\u2019s last day in Lorne is December 20, and as we say farewell to \u201cthe keeper of our secrets\u201d we wish you well for the future and thank you for your service to our town. \u00a0We also look forward to educating Ankur\u2019s successor, Ricky Gupta, in the vagaries of Lorne and its online shopping habits.<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n Last week the Committee for Lorne held the second of its special interest meetings regarding housing affordability in Lorne. \u00a0We were fortunate to have in attendance our three new Otway Range ward councillors together with two dedicated council officers. \u00a0We reviewed the current situation and some of the potential solutions that have been considered to date. \u00a0The Surf Coast Shire has committed to invest a substantial sum of money and council human resources to work with us to develop solutions to our accommodation issues. \u00a0It was agreed that we will meet again early in the new year to scope how the committed council resources can most effectively be used.<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n The Committee for Lorne\/Lorne Business and Tourism Association New Year\u2019s Eve fireworks fundraising appeal is well underway and being well-supported with donations through GoFundMe totalling $4,165 at the time of writing. \u00a0Together with the support of corporate donations we are confident of reaching our target of $20,000, but we need your help. If you are able to, and would like to help these spectacular displays happen, you can contribute at https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/lorne-nye-fireworks<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Cheers<\/p>\n January<\/strong><\/p>\n 10 – <\/strong>Mountain to Surf Run, <\/strong>8:30am \u2013 12pm at Lorne<\/p>\n 11 – Pier to Pub Swim,<\/strong> from 11am at Lorne<\/p>\n 17-19 – Deans Marsh Sheep Dog Trials<\/strong>, at Deans Marsh Reserve<\/p>\n\n
A word from the chairman<\/strong><\/h1>\n
Lorne Ward Events Calendar<\/strong><\/h1>\n