Annual migration of pelicans is peaking in the Okanagan
It’s prime time for the spring migration of the biggest flying bird in Canada, and the Okanagan valley is central to the route to their breeding grounds. Biologist Richard Cannings (also South Okanagan-West Kootenay MP) has authored several books about British Columbia birds. He...
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It’s prime time for the spring migration of the biggest flying bird in Canada, and the Okanagan valley is central to the route to their breeding grounds.
Biologist Richard Cannings (also South Okanagan-West Kootenay MP) has authored several books about British Columbia birds. He says from April 15 to 25 is generally the peak time for the American white pelican’s migration north from the Central Valley of California to its breeding ground at Stum Lake in the Chilcotin, northwest of Williams Lake.
“They don’t make noise, so you have to look up at the right time to see them. A number of flocks went over the South Okanagan yesterday,” Cannings says.
He says roughly 300 pairs make the trip to Stum Lake every year. Others can be found here and there in the Okanagan throughout the summer, part of a non-breeding population of young pelicans that find their home around parts of Eastern Washington State, and in the Creston area, as well as in parts of the Okanagan.
“There might be 20 to 50 that hang around here all summer. You might see them at Vaseux or Osoyoos Lake, or in Salmon Arm in late June through August,” Cannings says.
The birds fly a very specific route, taking a course along the west side of the Okanagan valley as far as Peachland. From there, the birds divert away from the Okanagan and make their way to the Chilcotin using the smaller inland lakes around Douglas Lake, like Chapperon and Sanctuary Lakes.
“There aren’t that many that can be seen flying through the Okanagan north of Kelowna,” Cannings says.
Oliver resident Mike Fitzpatrick posted a photo he took of pelicans in the Okanagan River oxbows earlier this week.
The American white pelican is considered an endangered species in Canada. The bird can live for 17 years, but has a low reproductive rate, with a hatch of generally a single chick. Their world is a fragile one, as the slightest disturbance can result in the loss of the young.
Stum Lake Provincial Park protects the species' breeding grounds. The park is closed to the public from March 1 to Aug. 31 and aircraft are restricted to operations above 600 metres.
Aircraft also can’t land in the park between March and August, according to British Columbia.com
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