[nnasnet] Re: More on cormorants

From: Bill Gimpel <nhfishhook1@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: maggieurbanna@xxxxxxxxxxx, nnasnet@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Mon, 08 Oct 2012 07:57:49 -0500 (CDT)

A service of the Northern Neck Audubon Society---

As for the Norris bridge...there is a pound net just downstream that might provide easy foraging. Before the pier at Willouby's (sp???) was rebuilt...there were many old pilings which provided a great perch. Perhaps the the Bridge, close at hand, is simply the next best alternative?

Bill Gimpel

On 10/07/12, Margaret Gerdts<maggieurbanna@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

At the mouth of Robinson's Creek, just upriver from Urbanna, there are pilings left over from the old steamboat wharf and the Lord Mott Cannery.....and there are always a large number of cormorants sitting on the pilings....along with a number of gulls. Usually there are a few that are airing out their wings.

These pilings are on the south side of the Rappahannock.

Maggie Gerdts

Date: Sat, 6 Oct 2012 09:20:33 -0400
Subject: [nnasnet] Cormorant 'mystery' responses
From: tomteeples@xxxxxxxxx
To: nnasnet@xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Thanks to all who responded with suggestions of solutions of the cormorant mystery. Here are some of the responses:

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the wind is less near the shore
they are a gregarious colonial species and like to congregate
they nest in trees and on cliffs, so maybe the high bank and trees is more attractive than the low, treeless environment on the other end
closer to their favorite smell - the Omega factory!

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Aren't they fish eaters? Maybe close to that shore is the best place for fishing?

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Neither the statistician, nor the physicist will solve this one. It will most likely take the observation of a waterman: Oyster rocks are usually on the north side of a river which draws more fishâ

Felicityâs (husband!) in Gloucester

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I'm glad a big semi hasn't been coming in the opposite direction when you are "observing"! Perhaps wind currents are less nearer the north shore because of land mass? The bluffs on the north shore are higher than the south shore. They also sit on the abandoned dock on the north side by the restaurant... Or just as simple as the fish congregate more on the shoals on the north side of the river. When I see boats out fishing, they seem to be on the north side of the river more than the other side...??? not being a physicist - just some guesses. Beth

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Tom, here. Back again. And there were a few other remarks, as well.

Since I first asked the question, and my brain has been jogged by these supporters, I drove over the Rappahannock again, yesterday, Friday, the 5th. The cormorants were in their usual spot. But your comments made me a better observer. Now I notice that there is a pound net on the North side of the river and nonesuch on the South side. Felicity's suggestion of consulting a waterman echos here. Did the pound net owner already know that the North side was the best place for fish?

The cormorants know that with a pound net nearby, this is the best place for fish. We will declare the mystery solved!!!!!

********The cormorants congregate where the food supply is best*******************

Addendum: As one of the administrators of the hotline (Tom Saunders is the other), I sometimes wonder if anyone ever looks at the posts. Your reaction to solving the mystery has restored my faith in the NNAS Hotline readership. Thanks, everyone......Tom

--
Tom Teeples

132 Lancaster Dr. #105

Irvington, VA 22480

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[nnasnet] Re: More on cormorants

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