Wildlife at Rincon

[wayne gustaveson]

While gill netting last week we were fortunate enough to see some wildlife. Here are pictures of otters, coyotes, and a bird. I am not sure which bird it is but maybe someone can identify it for us.

 

[desert shep]

I have seen otters down as far as the hole in the rock, no pictures yet though. Thanks

 

[Lyle]

I'm certainly no expert but really believe the black bird is a cormorant. I have seen them on the lake in the past.

 

[Gem Morris]

Agreed with Lyle - a double crested cormorant.

They chase fish underwater then hang their wings out to dry (like the one in the picture is doing).

 

[Ryan]

I’ve spent a lot of time in Rincon and have never seen the otters. I guess I need to spend more time there.....

 

[PBH]

I am not sure which bird it is but maybe someone can identify it for us.

View attachment 3464

Dad has a picture of him holding one of those. I'll have to dig it up for you. I think you'd enjoy it.

 

[wayne gustaveson]

Agreed with Lyle - a double crested cormorant.

They chase fish underwater then hang their wings out to dry (like the one in the picture is doing).

Agree - I identify them better when I see them flying - not posing for pictures. Thanks

 

[PBH]

Wayne -- here is the picture I mentioned of dad holding a cormorant. This was presented to him at his retirement.
I think it conveys a nice image of how most fisheries managers feel about cormorants.

 

[wayne gustaveson]

Wayne -- here is the picture I mentioned of dad holding a cormorant. This was presented to him at his retirement.
I think it conveys a nice image of how most fisheries managers feel about cormorants.

I understand completely! Great picture of my boss from 1975-1978.

 

[Gem Morris]

I sat at one of the nearby community fishing ponds one morning just after it had been stocked with 8-10" rainbows. There were about 10 fisherman on the bank. There were 7 cormorants and 5 pelicans also on the water. I sat in my truck watching with binoculars. A total of 8 fish were caught while I sat watching. 7 of those were caught by cormorants, 1 by an angler. Every time one of the cormorants came up with a fish the pelicans surrounded and bullied the cormorant until it dropped the fish in it's own best interest. The pelicans ended up eating all 7 of those fish the cormorants caught.

There's a moral in that story somewhere...not quite sure what it is? Something about grasshoppers and ants. Or give a man a fish...

 

[PBH]

Gem -- that's exactly why stocking practices (time of year + size of fish) along with regulation changes were implemented at Minersville. Birds are much better anglers than humans, and they rarely practice catch-and-release.