Folks who understand critters and nature know the value of carefully observing hunting predators and then figuring out how they can point the way to a meal for us.

A classic example is running a fishing boat to a group of wheeling and diving seagulls and pelicans and diving cormorants. They are pointing the way to fishing action.

This story comes from my colleagues along the NorCal coast at Lawson’s Landing, south of Bodega Bay, at the entrance to Tomales Bay.

In March, before offshore and river fishing seasons started, and when people were eating the last of their frozen fish from last season, they were looking for ways to get some fresh fish.

Turns out, the clues were flying right over their heads.

That area is known for a healthy population of ospreys, so seeing one is common. Seeing one with a fish in its talons is not uncommon because it is what ospreys do for a living.

But folks around Lawson’s Landing began to notice the impressive birds were flying overhead quite regularly, always from the same general direction and with fish clutched tightly in their talons. The clues piled up like dead fish.

Locals with young, good eyes recognized the fish as some kind of perch. Older folks with lesser vision but greater experience were one step ahead of the youngsters and had figured out that the birds were working the surf zone and catching red tail perch, which are known to congregate in the surf near there at this time of year.

Everyone quickly gathered up their surf fishing gear, bought some bait, hooks, weights and lures, then headed in the direction the birds were coming from.

A red tail perch bite of epic proportions ensued, and everyone got a nice meal out of the collaboration between people and ospreys.

Ospreys are impressive birds to watch as they search for and snag fish with their talons, beat wings to gain altitude while clutching the fish, then fly off to a perch where they can enjoy their meal in peace, or head toward a nest to feed always-hungry little ospreys.

Red tail perch are typical catches up in NorCal; they grow to pretty good size, roughly up to the size of a dinner plate, and they are tasty as well as nutritious.

Here in our 805 area, our bigger surfperch is the barred perch, which is also a sought-after catch. We have some osprey here, but I wish we had more so we can watch them and learn.