We don’t often think about pelicans at our Cheyenne Bottoms. I suspect that most folks wouldn’t consider pelicans to be of any significance in a land-locked marsh in Kansas. I would encourage you to “think again”! (that also is the title of a fantastic book by Adam Grant that everyone should read)

I have seen more pelicans than you can imagine at the Bottoms. They migrate along with shorebirds and waterfowl. They are noisy, smelly, cranky birds that can transform in a split second into one of the most elegant sights of our marsh. In the quiet of early morning or late evening (the magic time of slanted light that every photographer dreams of) when these birds glide and slice through the silence on rigid wings—you can see one of the signature events in the marsh. I am totally awed by the majesty of that silent glide low over the water into the area of feeding or resting. They don’t land easily—lots of splashing and jostling for position or space before settling into their routine. They sleep standing or sitting, and will often put their beak down the middle of their back. During the breeding season, both male and female pelicans develop a “bump” on their beak called a “caruncle.”  I’m not privy to the purpose of that process. They have black wing tips and have been confused with Whooping Cranes when flying or migrating up high in the sky. That is another beautiful sight—a thousand Pelicans circling so high in the air that they are hard to identify. When they are in the air at the same time the Sandhill Cranes are migrating—that is just one of nature’s gifts that almost defies description.

Last week I was driving the Bottoms and saw a large group of pelicans out in pool 2. There was a Sedgwick County vehicle parked and an obvious birder was looking at them with a spotting scope. I stopped and said “Hi.” and we chatted for a moment. He asked if I had counted them. It never occurred to me to do that—most serious birders do lots of different counts that are compiled by geniuses to predict population numbers and endangered species. We have a “Christmas bird count” and some others also. Rob Penner and the Nature Conservancy are meticulously serious about bird counts and demand our respect and assistance in counting. KDWP also does some awesome population counts on upland species, turkeys, etc...  I am negligent in not getting that information from Mike Rader. He has received numerous awards for all things related to birds and conservation in Kansas and is one of the signature people in that department. I admire him a lot. Anyhow, that gentleman from Sedgwick County reported that there were 318 birds in that puddle of pelicans. I trusted him and went on to find some other birds.

One of the other birds I found was White-faced Ibis. These were the first of the season for this year. I enjoy watching these birds wade and feed. They have a very unique bill and use it to stir up the bottom and find small fish or minnows and crustaceans. Their color is deceptive— it appears purple or black—and they are beautiful! They hang out in groups, so if you see one you will probably see several at a time. Just one more player in our game of birds at the marsh! Go see them now before they head north!

This is a great time to visit the Bottoms!

Doctor Dan Witt is a retired physician and nature enthusiast. He can be reached at danwitt01@gmail.com.

Doc