The Pelicans Have Landed!!!

The first pelican to touch down between the CP Bridge and the weir did so, Friday, April 16th, 2010 at 5:32 pm as observed by the official spotters from the Saskatoon Nature Society.

Saskatoon residents have special visitors each summer. April through October, pelicans gather by the weir to fish. These birds once on the endangered species list have been a beautiful sight on the South Saskatchewan River since the late 1970s. For Saskatoon residents their arrival is a harbinger of spring.

The American White Pelican is one of the largest birds on the continent weighing 7-10 kg and having a wing span of up to 3m. Breeding birds develop an orange horn on their bill that falls off after nesting season. The breeding birds seen at the weir have likely flown to Saskatoon from Redberry Lake, the site of the nearest nesting colony. They make the 200 km round trip daily. In late fall, our pelicans migrate to sites in California, Florida, Mexico and even Guatemala.

This is the 15th year of the Meewasin Pelican Watch Contest. Previous arrival times have been between April 6th and April 18th.

The news conference to announce the winners of the Meewasin Pelican Watch Contest will be announced at a later date. Thank you to all who participated, the Saskatoon media and all of the businesses that have supported the contest with prizes including: Realty Executives Saskatoon, Don’s Photo Shop, the Pelican Market, the White Pelican Bed and Breakfast, Pelican Media, Houghton-Boston, the Meewasin Gift Shop, Homestead Ice Cream, the Wildlife Rehabilitation Society of Saskatchewan, the Saskatoon Nature Society and Saskatoon public and catholic schools.

To learn more about the pelican, visit the Meewasin web site at www.meewasin.com

For more information contact Susan Lamb or Doug Porteous at Meewasin 665-6887
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