Silhouette of a double-crested cormorant (Microcarbo melanoleucos) resting behind a dense urban bird sanctuary at dust, Lake Merritt Bird Sanctuary, Oakland, California. USA. Like the double-crested cormorant many of the birds at Lake Merritt are seasonal visitors, so you may only see certain species depending on when you go. Overall, 71 different kinds of bird have been spotted on the area on a months.