The Bird Watchers?

  Early this morning, a lone Brown Pelican was diving around the pier.  It almost seemed to be "too" quiet. Yesterday, a school of shrimp passed through which had the usual following of seagulls, terns and pelicans.  The Bay was "hopping" with activity.   The screeching of the gulls seemed to let every other bird know that the "feed" was on!  Then, overnight, the school of shrimp moved elsewhere and drew most of the predatory birds with them.  The pelican that stayed behind was not in need, however, as massive schools of menhaden and mullet filled the waters.  The bird was fat and happy! It was smart to lag behind and not get caught up in the frenetic doings of the masses. The pelican could lounge about the calm waters and scoop up menhaden and mullet.

  By watching the waterfowl, it is not hard to tell just what is passing below the surface of the water.  With shrimp, the birds are in a feeding frenzy.  Hundreds will dive until their bellies are stuffed.  When the schools are of menhaden, the birds take their dear, sweet time to catch their meal.  The mullet are a different story as the birds have to work harder.  Mullet are fast and travel in much smaller schools.  Local fishermen can all read these signs and know which fish will be biting simply by how the birds are acting.  It is an art! Or maybe a science!  Whatever!  Watch the birds and they will tell you where to fish and what bait to use.