Visiting flock of American white pelicans is an impressive sight
DEAR JOAN >> I regularly bicycle the Bay Trail between Point Isabel and Marina Bay. I’ve often seen grey pelicans and lately, a lot of them. They are my favorite birds because they fly so gracefully.
Imagine my surprise when I spotted a family of white pelicans that appear to be nesting because they were at the same spot on Sunday, on a secluded peninsula off the trail, as well as other days.
It is the first time I have seen white pelicans in the past 10-plus years on the trail.
— Kirk Essler, Richmond
DEAR KIRK >> I spoke with JD Bergeron with International Bird Rescue, based near Fairfield, about your observation. He says there’s nothing concerning about the birds being there, even if it’s a new place for them to be, but says we should keep an eye on them.
“A group of birds gathered for a bit is normal,” he says. “If they stayed or seemed hindered in some way, that would necessitate a call to Animal Control.”
The American white pelican is one of the larger flying birds we have, weighing about 20 pounds, with a 9-foot wingspan — larger than the bald eagle, but smaller than the California condor. While we see more brown pelicans than white, they both are common residents and visitors to the San Francisco Bay Area.
White pelicans don’t dive for their food like the brown pelicans do. Instead, they feed in shallow waters, along coastal bays, inlets, estuaries and sloughs, scooping up fish in those marvelous pouches.
They don’t store the food in their pouches. After most of the water drains out, they swallow the fish whole.
In California, the white pelicans’ breeding grounds are mostly in Modoc, Siskiyou and Lassen counties. In the winter, you’ll find most of them in the Central Valley wetlands.
As impressive a sight as they are on land, it’s something else to see them soaring through the skies, giving the impression flight is the easiest thing in the world. You’re lucky to have seen them.
Daisy’s Day
Several years ago, Sue Klapholz adopted a shelter dog named Daisy. It turned out that Daisy had a serious medical condition that required costly care, which Klapholz was able to afford.
She realized, however, that not everyone is as lucky, so in Daisy’s memory, Klapholz donated to Palo Alto Humane Society to support programs that help other pets obtain vital veterinary care that their families otherwise could not afford.
To keep Daisy’s goodwill alive, Palo Alto Humane Society has launched its fourth annual Daisy’s Day fundraiser with the goal of collecting at least $100,000 to help sick and injured animals in the greater Palo Alto area.
Last year, Daisy’s Day raised more than $70,000, which helped 95 stray and rescued animals through PAHS’ Animal Rescue Fund and 71 animals and their families through PAHS’ Pet Help program, and spayed or neutered 88 dogs and cats.
You can donate to Daisy’s Day through Oct. 31 through the organization’s website, paloaltohumane.org/daisysday-2020.