Object Literature
As its name suggests, redshanks’ most distinctive features are their bright orange-red legs. Redshanks breed in damp places like saltmarshes, flood meadows and around lakes, but during winter one would see lots more of them on estuaries and coastal lagoons – as many as half of these birds may be from Iceland.
The cormorant, found around the UK coastline on rocky shores, coastal lagoons and estuaries, is now increasingly being seen inland at reservoirs, lakes and gravel pits. A large and conspicuous waterbird, the cormorant has an almost primitive appearance with its long neck making it appear almost reptilian. It is often seen standing with its wings held out to dry. Regarded by some as black, sinister and greedy, cormorants are supreme fishers, which can bring them into conflict with anglers, and they have been persecuted in the past. The UK holds internationally important wintering numbers.