One of the many exceptional experiences I enjoy as a Coastal resident is watching flights of brown pelicans fishing our inshore coastal waters. When perched on jetties or rocky headlands these birds seem most ungainly. Then a magic transformation occurs as they take to the air over surf and bays in search of bait fish. They fly in line with hardly a wing movement as they follow the air currents. As they spot a school of fish the leader of the line hovers at 50 to 100 feet for an instant then crash dives into the water to rise with a bill full of fish. The ballet seems almost choreographed with no wasted movement.
These beautiful birds were driven almost to extinction during the 1950’s and 1960’s as a result of the widespread use of DDT as a chemical pesticide. This caused the shells of eggs to be fragile and easily broken which prevented the chicks from developing and hatching. In addition mercury was washed into the marine food chain as a from of mining and manufacturing resulting in a double whammy for the ocean food chain. The brown pelican has been removed from the Endangered Species list thanks to the efforts of state and federal agencies, conservation organizations and private landowners and has returned to historic levels.
Now is a good time to visit the Coast and see this performance before the pelicans migrate South for the Winter.
