Oneida Shores (WSYR-TV) -- It usually happens only a couple of times a decade here in Central New York and now appears to be one of them. Several viewers have reported pelican sightings on Oneida Lake and they want to know why the birds are here.
Wildlife expert Lewis Grove from SUNY ESF says this is a rare occurrence, but it does happen. Pelicans, like most birds, undergo a spring migration to their breeding grounds. For pelicans, that’s usually throughout the Great Plains. But with long trips, there’s a chance the birds will end up in the wrong place. He says sometimes it’s due to faulty navigational senses, bad weather or even more likely – wanderlust.
Pelicans are prone to occasional vagrancy and Grove suspects these two birds on Oneida Lake are young and their curiosity has led them off course. It’s likely they won’t breed this year.
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