While hiking through Enderby Island we had the chance to visit a cliff colony of Auckland Island Cormorants, commonly known as shags.  These birds are highly social and cooperative, working together to better survive the harsh conditions in the islands.  They have webbed feet and are able to swim and dive to great depths in order to catch fish and crustaceans, though they prefer to stay close to shore rather than venture into deeper waters.  They roost and breed up in the sea cliffs, using seaweed and grass to build their nests.

I sat down in the grass near the edge of the cliff above their colony, moving slowly so as not to startle the birds.  It soon became apparent that they were very curious, and bit by bit, they crept up to me, looking at me from all angles and even pecking at my boots and laces.  Many of them had bits of dried grass in their mouths, which they carried over to me, almost as if they were bringing me a small gift, though I’m sure I was merely a stopover on their way to add to their nests.