Re: [Paddlewise] Postscript to Winter Fun - capturing an injured Kormorant

From: James <jimtibensky_at_fastmail.fm>
Date: Fri, 02 Feb 2007 07:45:13 -0600
Derek:   This past summer I spotted an injured Kormorant(sp).I was
paddling solo in the Toronto harbour.  Every time I got close, it dove. 
It was unable to fly, but it was able to cover significant distance
under water. What technique would you use to capture THIS critter by
Kayak?




I never caught a mallard last year that could swim underwater like no
duck I have ever seen.  She had a broken wing, don't know what became of
her.  This was in the Chicago River where there are too many places to
hide (boats, docks, piers).  On the upper stretch of the Chicago River
there is a cormorant with a broken wing who has been there for three
years now.  He can dive well and manages to follow the open water during
freeze-up.  Right now we are experiencing the coldest weather in ten
years, so it may finish him off if he doesn't make it to one of the
wastewater treatment plant outlets.

Other than wearing them out, I haven't come up with a way to get injured
waterfowl in a boat.  We always try luring the birds to shore with bread
and stuff, but only the domestics and muscovies are dumb enough to fall
for it.

I easily caught a surf scoter last winter, but she had ingested lead
shot and died the day she was caught.  Healthy but injured water birds
are a lot of work to catch, when it can be done at all.

Jim Tibensky
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Received on Fri Feb 02 2007 - 05:45:50 PST

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