came across this species of bird among some seagulls at brighton beach and again at frankston, along the kananook creek. seems like the little pied cormorant is a common sight along the coastal places of eastern australia.
in china, since ancient times, fishermen have been using the cormorants - a different species of it - to help them catch fish.
the fishermen fit rings around the necks of the cormorants who dive into the lake in pursuit of fish. once a bird has caught a fish it returns to the boat to disgorge the fish and then returns to the lake to catch another fish.
only when the fishing is complete, do the fishermen remove the rings to allow the cormorants to eat. the birds all climb onto the sides of the boats and holding their wings outstretched to dry in the warm sun, while the fishermen paddle back to the shore of the lake.
it is a remarkable experience to witness man and bird working in such amicable harmony in a tradition dated back into the past millennium.
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