11 American White Pelicans Aug 31

[Jamie]

A great end to August!

I was biking down Evans Rd this evening, and near Knight Rd I noticed there was a group of white birds flying west along Chilliwack Mountain, pretty far away. I thought they might've been gulls, but they were so far away, which meant that these birds were quite big! They were flying behind a more distant mountain, so I was able to see how white they were quite well.

They were flying slowly, and seemed to be circling and gliding as they moved west in a loose group. They were flying very high also. It was no doubt that these were Pelicans, based on their color and size and they way they were flying. I counted 11 of them. After seeing them for a couple minutes, they disappeared behind Chilliwack Mountain.

They were likely following the Fraser River, since they were flying behind Chilliwack Mountain where the river is. Interestingly, there are two other sightings around the general area where I saw them flying, including the group of four that we saw this year!

A cool and unexpected sighting for sure.

[Gord]

Super find! Good ending to the month for sure.

[nickinthegarden]

Lucky you Jamie, I am more than a little envious. I love watching and photographing Pelicans, but no chance to see them south of the border this year and they always seem to be so distant when they land along the ocean. If they land it is likely to be out somewhere between Tsawwassen and Iona and maybe only for overnight. Thank you for that bright spot of news!