By the time news got out yesterday, the six birds had departed the area near the Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary after being harassed by Mute Swans. Surprisingly the birds returned this afternoon. Where they went in the meantime is unknown but they had flown east at an extreme elevation but earlier today were spotted heading east from near Morrisburg (which is west of the original sighting) so they have been wandering quite a bit.
The birds spent until 5:40 in the water along Cty Rd #2 at Farran Park in Ingleside then were again forced out of the area by a pair of Mutes. There are six Mutes but one pair is apparently nesting within a few hundred metres of where the pelicans are and they will not tolerate these birds. The others seem to leave them alone. The pelicans flew over to the river from the protected area and stood well offshore from Farren Park in shallow water near a small island. There is a good possibility that they will be around tomorrow because of the rough weather tonight and into the morning. Brian Morin Directions : Ingleside is east of Morrisburg and west of Cornwall. Exit the 401 and head south to Cty Rd #2. Turn right and the park is ahead on your left. If the birds are in the water along the road they will likely be in the middle somewhere. Drive a few hundred metres along the county road first to locate them. There are up to six Mute Swans there as well but they tend to be spread out. The pelicans are always tight together. There is a bicycle path that starts at the park office and proceeds west along the water. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
