They were pellicans!
EARLY MIGRATION IS UNDERWAY
By Joe Wilkinson
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Pelicans? In Iowa?
That’s the reaction from many people, as they watch those big birds wheeling in
formation in the sky or packed tightly together on the water. Snow white, with black
patches on their broad wings, their trademark orange pouch doesn’t show up from a
distance. Aim a spotting scope as they sit in the shallows or look as they dip close to the
ground and you can see the big birds’ oversized, almost cartoonish features.
Many Iowans connect pelicans with the oceans, or some faraway place. While
the smaller, brown pelican is common on the Gulf, Pacific and lower Atlantic coasts, its
larger, white cousin nests in western Canada and in larger lake regions in the western
U.S. and is a regular migrant through Iowa in spring and fall. Hundreds of them have
appeared on Coralville Reservoir in the last week or two. Just Sunday evening, there
must have been 700 to 800 or so spread across a bay just off the main water. They’re
also showing up on other waters; an oversized reminder that the fall migration that is
already underway. Snowy egrets, a couple green herons and extra blue herons dot the
shoreline and dead trees here as the push south begins.
“We are seeing lots of shorebirds already. We’ve had a number of reports of
pelicans, too,” agrees wildlife biologist Bruce Ehresman. From the Department of
Natural Resources’ wildlife diversity program, he keeps tabs on the twice-a-year influx of
feathered migrants through Iowa. “We have heard that there was a horrible nesting
season in parts of Canada; cold, wet conditions,” explains Ehresman. “Birds that might
not have brought off a brood are on their way south already. We are getting a lot of
shorebirds, yellowlegs, lesser yellowlegs; a number of sandpipers.”
How long will they stay? “It depends on weather conditions,” admits Ehresman.
“Many species depend on the mudflats. As water levels recede, (those flats) dry out. If
we get rain, that will keep the shorter legged shorebirds; like least sandpipers, there
hunting for invertebrates. Avocets and other longer legged shorebirds will be in
shallows.” The raucous calls of Canada geese going to bed are getting a little louder.
Many are residents, ranging a little afield, but a few northerners are bolstering the mix.
Small flocks of teal lead the invasion of waterfowl.
http://www.iowadnr.com/news/io/04aug24io.pdf#search=%22iowa%20pelicans%22
By Joe Wilkinson
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Pelicans? In Iowa?
That’s the reaction from many people, as they watch those big birds wheeling in
formation in the sky or packed tightly together on the water. Snow white, with black
patches on their broad wings, their trademark orange pouch doesn’t show up from a
distance. Aim a spotting scope as they sit in the shallows or look as they dip close to the
ground and you can see the big birds’ oversized, almost cartoonish features.
Many Iowans connect pelicans with the oceans, or some faraway place. While
the smaller, brown pelican is common on the Gulf, Pacific and lower Atlantic coasts, its
larger, white cousin nests in western Canada and in larger lake regions in the western
U.S. and is a regular migrant through Iowa in spring and fall. Hundreds of them have
appeared on Coralville Reservoir in the last week or two. Just Sunday evening, there
must have been 700 to 800 or so spread across a bay just off the main water. They’re
also showing up on other waters; an oversized reminder that the fall migration that is
already underway. Snowy egrets, a couple green herons and extra blue herons dot the
shoreline and dead trees here as the push south begins.
“We are seeing lots of shorebirds already. We’ve had a number of reports of
pelicans, too,” agrees wildlife biologist Bruce Ehresman. From the Department of
Natural Resources’ wildlife diversity program, he keeps tabs on the twice-a-year influx of
feathered migrants through Iowa. “We have heard that there was a horrible nesting
season in parts of Canada; cold, wet conditions,” explains Ehresman. “Birds that might
not have brought off a brood are on their way south already. We are getting a lot of
shorebirds, yellowlegs, lesser yellowlegs; a number of sandpipers.”
How long will they stay? “It depends on weather conditions,” admits Ehresman.
“Many species depend on the mudflats. As water levels recede, (those flats) dry out. If
we get rain, that will keep the shorter legged shorebirds; like least sandpipers, there
hunting for invertebrates. Avocets and other longer legged shorebirds will be in
shallows.” The raucous calls of Canada geese going to bed are getting a little louder.
Many are residents, ranging a little afield, but a few northerners are bolstering the mix.
Small flocks of teal lead the invasion of waterfowl.
http://www.iowadnr.com/news/io/04aug24io.pdf#search=%22iowa%20pelicans%22