Winter weather photos
Northeastern vs. West Liberty-Salem
House destroyed in fire
Pelican makes home at reservoir
The instance is odd for this time of year, official says.
Monday, July 28, 2008
The presence of a white pelican in the Clarence J. Brown Reservoir area "is a little bit odd for this time of year," said Doug Overacker, president of the Clark County Audubon Society.
But with numbers of the species increasing in recent years, "something like this is more likely to happen," he said.
"White pelicans nest mostly up in Minnesota, North Dakota and into Canada," Overacker said, "and the numbers have been increasing significantly."
Local sightings in the spring and fall migratory periods have become common.
"We've seen them three or four springs in a row, and most of the years in the past 10," Overacker said.
Because it's a large bird, "they take more time to mature," he said. "I have a feeling" this one got separated from a flock "or failed nesting and wandered off," he said.
Overacker said he visited the area Friday, July 25, to check on the bird's health, and he saw no reason for concern.
"It seemed to be moving around all right," he said.
