Volunteers landed at the Southeast end of the Island to the site of hundreds of American White Pelicans, camped in with the Brown Pelicans. The White Pelicans were staging for their return home to their nesting grounds while the Brown Pelicans had already set up nesting sites and many were sitting on eggs. Warden Chester Smith said that breeding season seems to have started about two weeks early this year.
Breeding activity seemed to be two weeks ahead of schedule. Be sure to view the VOLUNTEER PHOTOS too!
Click on any of the photos for a larger view. For the largest view, use the "slideshow" option.
American White Pelicans, staging for their return home, and Brown Pelicans in the pond at the Southeast side of the island greeted us when we arrived. American Avocets were grouped in the right corner (not seen here).
Click on any of the photos for a larger view.
For the largest view, use the "slideshow" option.
Photo credit: Marcy Spears
Click on any of the photos for a larger view.
For the largest view, use the "slideshow" option.
Photo credit: Marcy Spears
The American White Pelicans in this and the previous photo are beginning to show their short yellowish crest on the back of the head and horny plate on the upper mandible, part of their breeding plummage.
Photo credit: Marcy Spears
Photo credit: Marcy Spears
Outlined on this aerial view of Sundown Island taken in October 2007 by Andrew N. Smith are the approximate areas of the popular breeding grounds. In the following photos, the approximate location of the birds is noted.
This Brown Pelican is flying in over the American White Pelicans to add material to the nest (Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley
Photo credit: Diane Nunley
Another Brown Pelican is flying in over the American White Pelicans, probably with food in its pouch (Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley
Photo credit: Diane Nunley
This is a White Morph Reddish Egret. Notice the bright blue lores and bright pink bill with the dark tip. These are pronounced during breeding season (Pelican Estates, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley
Photo credit: Diane Nunley
There are about six Great Blue herons in these trees and one Great Egret. Notice the fluffy, lacy plumes present during breeding season (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley
Photo credit: Diane Nunley
This Great Egret has the lime green lores and bright orange bill evident during breeding season (Pelican Estates 2, see map). These birds were nearly decimated by plume hunters at the end of the 19th century.
Photo credit: Diane Nunley
Photo credit: Diane Nunley
This is a juvenile Black-crowned Night-Heron, probably still hanging out with its parents (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley
Photo credit: Diane Nunley
The Great Blue Herons were very active during workday, either displaying to potential mates or claiming territory (Pelican Estates 2, see map).
Photo credit: Diane Nunley
Photo credit: Diane Nunley
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