It appears from the following data sent to me by Ohio birder, Thomas Bartlett, that White Pelicans are now more than just vagrants in Lake Erie's western basin.
Thomas writes: 'I could see several pelicans on the rocks off the west side of Middle Island from Kelleys Island last May (using a scope). On Tuesday, a lady from Middle Bass Island who regularly goes out to The Chicks and sometimes East Sister, reported to me that there were 50+ on and around the Chicks and 24+ off East Sister. I believe it is only a matter of time (or it may have happened all ready) for them to be nesting in or along Lake Erie. The Chicks and Middle Island are prime areas. Pelee Island Bird Observatory has been recording birds most of the summer. At East Harbor State Park near Port Clinton (in Ohio), over 150 pelicans have been roosting the last three summers. They are there early in the AM, leave for the day, and come back in the evening." The 'Chicks' are about 5 nautical miles west of Pelee Island. I am hoping to get a boat out there soon to see what's going on there. Rob Tymstra Pelee Island yrtyms...@gmail.com _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
