Sellsfish is right (as usual) - they are Greater Shearwaters (Puffinus gravis). Unlike a couple of other Shearwaters that occur here (Audubon’s and Cory’s), Greater Shearwaters are cold-water specialists that breed in the far South Atlantic. They are currently migrating north to the Bay of Fundy, N. Atlantic, etc. for the nonbreeding season.
The reason they are so extra-hungry and aggressive now is the warm water here is kind of like a desert for them, so the abnormally warm conditions are making it extra tough on them. They are migrating in June, same as always, only to find July-like conditions.
One way to get them off your (close-in) baits that sometimes works is squirting them with the boat hose…
All these easterly winds the past couple of weeks have them and a lot of other pelagic birds closer to shore than usual. They may be out in the 300-500 foot depth zone before long.
What is that tiny one next to the shearwater that walks on top of the water with its wings catching the wind?
Shooting fish in the face is my hobby.
that is a Stormy Petrel aka…Jesus bird (walks on water) aka wahoo bird aka marlin bird, they are often right over the top of a big hoo or a marlin. I like to see them come in on a drift bait as it seems to get eaten shortly thereafter
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NMFS = No More Fishing Season
“Back home we got a taxidermy man. He gonna have a heart attack when he see what I brung him”
Absolutely right about them shearwaters having sharp and POWERFUL beaks on them. Hooked one a few years back and went to do the “right thing” and tried unhooking him and the SOB latched right onto my finger and even with a pair of leather gloves on it felt like it dang near broke my finger. Swore to myself afterwards that the next one will meet Mr. fish bat before getting unhooked.
Russ B. www.joinrfa.org
God is great, Beer is good, People are crazy
the birds are Shearwaters (federally protected) and I have never seen them so aggressive. We could not keep a drift rig out, as they would dive down 20’ to eat the sardines. We had two get hooked and I can tell you that they have VERY sharp beaks. I got scratched all to heck trying to free the darn things. They stayed with us all day, even moving when we moved.
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NMFS = No More Fishing Season
“Back home we got a taxidermy man. He gonna have a heart attack when he see what I brung him”
Mel, that is some good fishing right there, but you need to tighten up on the culinary component of your venture. It’s not like you to bring fast food on the boat. Next time, I expect to hear you whipping up something a little more creative. We will let it slide this time, but you are on notice.
I agree. Not on my game in the galley because I was busy watching (and worrying about) my 11 year old climb all over the boat and up and down the tower with his GO Pro!! Stay tuned for next week’s Gourmet Galley Report.
