Corpusfishing.com

Jellyfish · Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 7:05 am Post subject: Where Are The Pelicans?

Took the wife into Corpus yesterday to shop a little bit. We always see a number of white pelicans on the island in Oso Bay, but yesterday there were none. Looked all over the ULM on the way back, and did not spot one white pelican. To add to the mystery, we only saw one brown pelican and it was in the water by the JFK bridge. Just wondering if there may be a connection to the lack of fishing being caught and not sighting any pelicans in the fishery.
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topdog15 · Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 7:08 am Post subject:

Most of our White Pelicans are migratory and have headed north for the Summer. We do have a resident population around Bird Island that breeds here.
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Tyler · Site Admin Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 12865

Some of the old timers say that "hurricane season is over when the white pelicans return in the fall" Very Happy

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Capt Mike Singleterry · Full Grown Flour Bluffian Joined: 07 Mar 2006 Posts: 2728

All the Brown Pelicans are at the fish cleaning table at Clem's between
11:00a and 1:00p..... Very Happy

Just bring you camera for some real close-ups.

Mike

HRod2222 · Horse Mullet Joined: 03 Jun 2011 Posts: 222 Location: SA

FishLady · Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 12:06 pm Post subject:

Yea, funny!! Laughing

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FishLady

Chef Lefty · Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 1:32 pm Post subject:

SaltyMutt · Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 3:14 pm Post subject:

I saw a few white ones out at OSO when I was out there on Sunday.
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Ray · Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 4:38 pm Post subject:

I caught a pelican on a 13 foot rod a couple of years ago and had an exciting time. Actually, it got wrapped in the line while flying slow and low; the line wrapped around the bird's body and it went down at the surf line. I was with some friends, so we bounded out to unwrap.

I am a veterinarian and have handled lots of birds, mostly parrots from parakeets to macaws, and I have been bitten many times, once straight through my hand by a big, really hacked off macaw, but I had never dealt with a pelican.

I went for the bird, trying to keep it from getting hurt. It took a shot at me with that big beak. I thought I could beat it in speed, so I tried again, and it nearly nailed me once again. Finally after several tries, I got it, and we got the pelican unwrapped and with no damage, but I was really impressed with the smashing snap the pelican could give. I didn't get hit by the beak, but it was close. I think one snap could hurt quite a bit, or it might pop a bone with just the right hit.

The bird flew away as if nothing had happened and didn't appear to be hurt at all.

Pelicans are big, strong birds!!!!!!!!

Ray
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Ray

Big Jack · Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 6:15 pm Post subject:

I saw about a dozen this morning along the ICWW
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karankawa · Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 11:29 am Post subject:

My fishing partner who's is a federal and state licensed bird rehabber says if you have to handle a large wading/seabird like pelicans, egrets , or herons try to grab the beak and gently grab the body next to secure its wings for minimal damage to you and the bird, as they will try for your eyes with their beaks if possible.
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slackr · Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 2:35 pm Post subject:

I almost learned about the eye-poking out thing the hard way. Thank goodness I had sunglasses on-would have lost an eye for sure.

cuzn dave · Flour Bluffian in training Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 465

Also helps quite a bit to cover their head w/ a towel or something.
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sandollar_sa · Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2012 6:49 pm Post subject:

Sassy little devils...it's not just eyes in danger.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIDMkJxE71Y

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9e4hBiLx2c

I love them, though.

kobersteller · Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2012 5:11 pm Post subject:

When I was a kid I had a pelican poop on my head. There is a real difference b/w seagulls and pelicans when it comes to that.

I thought that i got crapped on by an elephant at first.
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