By Canadian Press

Nesting cormorants — and their droppings — are taking over a harbour in Nova Scotia

Sep 21, 2023 | 10:23 AM

SYDNEY, N.S. — It’s a battle in the skies — and so far, the bombing cormorants sowing scatological havoc in a Nova Scotia harbour are winning.

The Crown corporation that operates a ferry service from the harbour in Sydney, N.S., says it will form a task force to evict the cormorants strewing droppings and seaweed throughout the terminal and piers.

The waterfowl have coated the docks in so much guano that there are designated stations for people to clean their soiled shoes.

This is the second year the cormorants have squatted in the harbour for their nesting season.

And the port authority’s efforts to deter the birds have so far proven ineffective.

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

The cormorants used seaweed to cover spikes installed on lampposts where they like to nest, and an optical-deterrent device called an “eagle eye” turned out to attract the birds instead of repel them.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 21, 2023.

The Canadian Press

For local news delivered daily to your email inbox, subscribe for free to the Lethbridge News Now newsletter here. You can also download the Lethbridge News Now mobile app in the Google Play and the Apple App Stores.