2 odd questions

[buggs]

First off I dont know if this is the correct
forum for these questions? But, here goes.
I was perchin at Geneva a few weeks ago
and saw nothing but miles and miles of dead
smelt, all about 4-5" long, so what caused this,
and what will it do to the fishery???

Second, I was fishing at Mosquito today and
saw a hawk like bird{about the size of a redtail}
swoop down and catch a small fish. It had a white
head with a black eye-patch, white underbelly, and a
dark brown/black coat. It dove head first into the water,
regained itself and took strait off into the air. What the
heck was that bird??? It was amazing to watch at 10 yards
away.

Thanks for help on these questions.

Buggs

[bowtech777]

I just read about these birds the other day. sound kind of like one of them.


The fish-hawk, as the osprey is also known, is a large raptor, with a body length of about two feet, a wingspread of five feet, and long sharp talons. Its back and long arched wings are brown, and white plumage covers its breast and upper legs.
The characteristic M-shaped crook in its wings, its wrist patches, dark brown stripes across the eyes and the dark bands on the underside of the tail identify an osprey in flight.
Based on recent DNA testing, ospreys are thought to be more closely related to eagles, hawks and Old World vultures than previously thought.
Like most female birds of prey, female ospreys generally are larger than males.

[buggs]

Hey,
Thanks for the info, that is probably
what I saw. An amazing animal!
Buggs

[Duffy]

And as for the dead fish, when I lived in Erie, PA, every year there would be a massive fish kill, of smelt, alewife, and others. Back then, they said that much of it was caused by hot, unoxegenated water and other discharges that were put into the Lake by the General Electric and Hammermill plants, and other industries along the lakefront. It was something we all got used to, and it didn't seem to affect the fishery too adversely. With industry in Erie far less significant now than it was then, this trend might no longer be as severe. Perhaps what you witnessed in Geneva may be a similar occurrance.

Anyone else?

[CritterGitter]

Don't know about the baitfish kill. If anything, I would guess it would help the fishing as there is literally tons of bait in that lake. Now, as for the bird, I am sure it was an osprey by the description. They are very common on the east coast especially in the Carolina's. I didn't realize they would come this far north. They love being around water and often catch fish and small birds. It was cool to be on the beach at the outer banks ans watch the young ones chase the sandpipers up and down the beach.

CG

[buggs]

So the bird was an osprey, is that rare
in Ohio?

The charter guide I was with during the perch
trip when we saw all the dead smelt told me had
had only saw one other smelt kill in the past 30 years
out of Geneva anyway. And he said this one is 20
times more smelt. He was a little concerned to say
the least. I just figured that would make it easier for
guys to catch the walleye? Any takers on that one?

Buggs

[M.Magis]

The osprey is becoming much more common theses days. The DNR is doing a great job of bringing them back.