Bird on a plinth

I was down by the river in Carlisle today and looked again at this statue. I have seen it many times, but have never known anything about it. There is a plaque that says it was placed here to commemorate 25 years of the RSPB Members Group in Carlisle. The only problem is that there is no date! Neither is there a bird identification, although I don't think it can be other than a Cormorant.

So it stands high up above the footpath, looking out onto the river. Apparently there used to be many sightings of Cormorants in this part of the river, but I don't think you would see any now.

Not the only bird on a plinth, if today's unveiling is anything to go by!!