The birds are casually feeding on the roe of herring who have come into the
Bay to spawn. The birds include coots, gulls, goldeneyss, scaups, scoters,
canvas backs, mallards, wigeons, and buffleheads. Seals patrol the perimeter
of the bird flotilla and are likely feeding on the herring themselves.

Click on "Original" below to see an extra large image for exploration of the
activity.

The permanently resident Coots are taking a break on the rocks and bathing in the trickling
outflow of a fresh-water sewer (along with one Wigeon). The gulls in foreground
are also relaxing. Coots in the water are returning to (roughly) one of four
feeding zones. Gulls surround the few ducks that are actively feeding. They
hope to intimidate one into dropping a roe-covered piece of seaweed it retrieved
from the bottom. But most of the ducks outwit the gulls by consuming everything
while still under water. The ducks surrounding the feeding zones are swimming
away; I don't know why. At the distant perimeters the sated drift and doze.

A dog-walker told me this has been going on for about a week.