March and Herring Season

gulls enjoying herring roe

The northward migration of birds peaks in March and coincides with the herring mating season.  There is no better example of the inter-connectedness of natural phenomena than the herring spawn.  It attracts predatory fish, birds, sea mammals and humans who are all dependent on this tiny fish.

   

bones from herring

Flotillas of sea lions dot the water.  They look like small log booms with flippers raised now and then like the crook of a branch.  Their calls are mixed with the barks of local seals that are bobbing up and down just off shore.  Pods of migrating ducks and Brant geese are also floating nearby.  They are timid and much quieter than the raucous gulls and rarely set foot on the beach.

Thousands of gulls crowd the beach like white confetti.  The local Glaucous gulls are out numbered by close relatives in different sizes and body shapes.  When disturbed the flock lifts as one giant cloud and shifts up or down the beach to another spot.  This happens every time an eagle takes flight to try its hand at fishing.  When the visiting gulls finally move on the beach is littered with white feathers.  I've never seen one of the local eagles attack a sea gull but these are not taking any chances.  A moving target is harder to hit.

fishing fleet waiting off shore

The fishing fleet follows the herring up and down the coast.  The boats sit off shore waiting for the "opening shot" when they are allowed to drop their nets.  Then there is a short period of frantic activity that is accentuated by the circling and wheeling and screaming of the gulls.  They drown out the droning of the Dept of Fisheries plane that is monitoring the whole process.

turquoise water

The roe changes the reflective properties of the water near the shore.  In the sunshine, the ocean takes on a greenish-blue or turquoise hue that makes it look tropical.

The bite of the cold wind is a reminder to keep your jacket on.  It will be several months before the water is warm enough to enter voluntarily.

herring eggs on sea lettuce

The photo to the left shows what the fuss is all about.  The seaweed along the tide line is coated in eggs that will never hatch.  Smaller birds and scavengers will gradually find most of them,  The rest will rot.  After the birds have left we will have that lingering fishy aroma to remind us of  the little herring.