State Evicts Cormorants From Island In Ohio Lake

The state has evicted dozens of double-crested cormorants from an island in a northeastern Ohio lake to reduce problems caused by the birds' droppings. Crews using chain saws took down nearly 30 small trees last month on the state-owned island near Akron where growing numbers of the birds have nested since 2005. The birds' highly acidic droppings kill off other vegetation and the waste can foul waters in the lakes at Portage Lakes State Park, triggering repeated complaints from neighbors. The tree-cutting followed unsuccessful attempts to scare off the birds with loud noises before the cormorants nested in the spring. The Department of Natural Resources says it's not considering shooting the birds, though the state has shot cormorants on three Lake Erie islands.