Carl Haynie wrote:

<< Yesterday afternoon, while driving northbound on Hwy 17 s.e. of Othello,
eight American White Pelicans flew over my car heading s.s.e. Is this
the first report of this species this year? And are they annual or
nearly annual in the Columbian basin? I don't recall hearing of any
sightings last summer. >>

Five or six years ago I used to fish for steelhead on the Columbia River at
the Ringold Hatchery (DeLorme, page 39, D 6). I don't remember the exact time
of year that I was there, but believe that it was Spring/Summer, and I saw
several American White Pelicans on and around the water at this location.
Just upstream from this point, I understand that there exists the last
remaining Columbia River natural flowing water and natural salmon spawning
grounds, along with a native population of American White Pelicans. This area
is not far from Highway 17 S. E. of Othello.

Jim