Eldora Newspapers

These American White Pelicans on Lower Pine Lake are stopping to rest and feed on small fish during their migration from the gulf coast where they overwinter, to their breeding grounds in North Dakota, Montana and Canada, said Andy Place, Pine Lake State Park Ranger. “We will see pelicans passing through over the next few weeks, some might stop on the lake for a day, some may stay for a week, but there will probably be several flocks which stop over at Pine Lake throughout the spring,” he said. Pelicans are pretty stunning birds, and it is difficult to miss them on Lower Pine Lake, but they are only a part of a much larger spring migration. Loons, mergansers, grebes, and cormorants are just a few of the waterfowl that can be spotted on the lakes this time of year, but many of them require a pair of binoculars or a spotting scope to appreciate as they are much smaller than the pelicans. In the coming days and weeks the migration will really pick up and the trees will be filled with migrating songbirds, Place said. Many people will notice the small birds fluttering about in the trees as they walk the trails in the park, but only those patient enough to stop and observe the birds (a pair of binoculars will help) and their songs will get to truly appreciate the diversity of birds that pass through during the spring migration. (Elaine Loring photo)