Cormorants

[Hunter704]

Today I was at Frank P dock slip. We were just shooting the breeze before the rain came. We watched a Cormorant make a few dives. His first time up came up with a small Fluke or Flounder no bigger then 3”. He then emerged again what appeared to be a juvenile weakfish. After we called him a few choice words he vacated the area. To think that was one bird in one area. They are here in huge numbers and can only imagine the damage they do to fishing populations, and then throw the seals in the mix, the draggers, and the poachers. It’s definitely taking its toll.

 

[fishyhands]

They used to be more plentiful in my area and then something happened. We've a lack of bait, some really bad spills (LILCO transformer oil that was supposed to be harmless, yet they had pumping stations built in the middle of the busiest roads in Oceanside and East Rockaway), so not sure why the birds have dropped off. The powerlines opposite Mt. Oceanside at the intersection of Daly Blvd and LB Road once had nearly 100 birds on it and it's much less. Same with the seals in the bay, I can't recall the last time I've seen one in the back bays and Reynolds. Only thing I can think of is maybe Bay Park stopped dumping in Reynolds and that has had an effect.. Or not LOL.

I'm not mourning them, it's the one bright spot in a dismal picture by me. But they were brutal on the local bait, and I'm sure put a huge dent in the snappers, fluke, flounder, etc. And what a mess they leave behind, approach one in a kayak and they barf and poop at the same time before taking off. Nasty!