Some more thoughts on pelicans:

We find it interesting that no one has mentioned the article in WOS's
Washington Birds # 3 on pelicans documenting the first breeding colony on
Crescent Island in the Columbia River near Wallula in 1994. There were 30
- 40 nesting pairs the first year. The article states that "numbers of
pelicans have been increasing over the past 15 years in the Columbia
Basin." It also says that pelicans had been monitored by state and federal
biologists "for some time".

We moved to Richland in 1989 and have sightings from then on. They have
certainly increased in range & numbers.

Checking the Audubon Christmas Count website revealed the appearance of
pelican on the TriCities (WATC) count during the 90th count (1989-90) when
there were 10. We only checked as far back as the 78th count
period. Also from this website, it looks like the Two Rivers count (WATR)
started during the 90th count and also had pelicans (14). This count is
closest to Crescent Island.

American White Pelicans attempted to breed on islands in the Hanford Reach
north of Richland several years ago. The nests were flooded by changing
water levels and failed. We have not heard of other attempts since then
but it is a likely place for breeding in the future.


Bill & Nancy LaFramboise
wlafra at owt.com
Richland, WA