Name:	Sunsetologist -	Reply
Subject:	Big white birds on water
Date:	5/31/2016 1:46:45 PM

I something very interesting this morning in our slough on Pace's Point... a flock very large white birds. After getting the binoculars out, there appeared to be 11 pelicans - white with a large bill - slowly swimming on top of the water. They looked just like the brown ones I see at the beach except all white. When they would flap their wings as though stretching, I noticed some black along the bottom of their wings. Several websites indicate they are American white pelicans and can be 4 feet tall with a wing span of 9 feet. I think I have seen these birds flying way up high overhead in the fall, but I have never seen them in the water so close to me. Has anyone else observed these birds on Lake Martin before?

Name:	woodboat -	Reply
Subject:	Big white birds on water
Date:	5/31/2016 2:47:18 PM

I saw one of them on my neighbor's pier a couple of weekends ago and saw one fly through my slough Sunday.  I am also on Pace's Peninsula.  I have named them Big Bird.

Name:	John C -	Reply
Subject:	Big white birds on water
Date:	5/31/2016 4:28:21 PM

They're migratory. Kenneth Boone did an article about them a couple of years ago in Lake Magazine or Lake Martin Living.

Name:	Wakin -	Reply
Subject:	Big white birds on water
Date:	5/31/2016 8:54:53 PM

Your coloring description sounds just like Whooping Crane, they are migrating back north (a little late though).  They are a protected endangered species, every year or two some unaware hunters mistake them for Sandhill Cranes which are huntable.  It's a huge bird.

Name:	alahusker -	Reply
Subject:	Big white birds on water
Date:	6/1/2016 9:07:22 PM

You had it right, White Pelican.  A few weeks ago I was fishing with a friend in the Windcreek area and marveled at flock of about 16.  They were fairly comfortable within 50 - 60 yards of the boat.  Must be a fairly rare sighting, we have been on the lake for 20 years, it was a first for me.  Beautiful birds.