Quote:
Originally Posted by barbless
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act prohibits the killing or harming of double-crested cormorants without prior authorization by the FWS. Depredation permits are provided to individuals, private organizations, and other federal and state agencies on a case-by-case basis for the lethal control of problem birds.
So far they are out numbering the Pelicans at CVR over the last 3 years. When they fly they are in gulps (or groups) 7-10. It is really not Pelican Island anymore but the big whites are still there and standing room only.
|
As I have watched our lake morph from perch infested to a great trout fishery I have also been watching how the lakes avian fish predators have been reacting.
I tried to locate a good study on what size fish cormorants can eat. It appears they prefer smaller prey around 7 inch however can eat fish up to 12 inch. I’ve watched them coming around more and more. I wonder if they frequent midnapore more as they have tons of tiny perch. They seem to be getting more common however they seem to come and go during day.
Some smaller grebes seem to take just minnows. Western grebes can eat perch up to about 8 inch. We have some around year round during open water.
Common Mergansers seem to be chasing mostly minnows in the shallows. Reports online suggest they can eat fish up to 12 inches long. They are around year round during open water.
Great blue herons sit on the rocks and docks and stab at fish swimming by. I’ve seen them nail and beat and swallow 15 inch fat trout. I have also seen them eat perch of any size they can catch. They came late this year but fly in and out of the lake area during the day.
Loons are taking perch and trout. I’ve seen them pop up with perch in their mouths. I suspect they can eat 18 inch trout. We have had 3 or more here all year since ice out.
Osprey are hunting hard this year. Many trout have wounds on there bodies. Amazing what trout can survive. They look like they are dropping on 18 inch trout. Problem is if they grab a big trout that is fat...they can’t lift it and need to release it. There is often 3 circling around hunting.
Bald eagles are here in the spring just as the ice s breaking up. I think looking for dead fish. Then not really seen during the summer and a bit again in the Fall.
Pelicans have been coming around more and more looking around the edges of the lake and often swimming in a pair or three.
Used to see belted kingfishers...about 8 years ago. Haven’t seen them since the perch took over and the minnows all went away.
Interesting observation this year was the minnow population in the lake has exploded once again. I think without hundreds of thousands of perch swimming around the shallows...minnows have a chance to survive. Schools of fathead minnows and lake chub are certainly helping feed some of the avian fish predators and will also help perch, rainbow trout, brook trout and brown trout grow. Caught an 11 inch perch last week. Average perch size is now back over 8 inches from the low of 5 inches 4 years ago. Perch are much harder to catch yet I have still probably caught 3 buckets worth this Spring/Summer. Sounds like lots however by this time in the year, 4 years ago I would of caught 100 buckets worth.
Cheers
Sun
Beware Cormorant
What ... no link ❓❗
Linear Mode
