Pelicans flocking to Carson Valley

While pelicans aren't strangers to Western Nevada, there seem to be more of them in Carson Valley this year.

Animal Control Officer Nancee Goldwater said she's responded to two injured pelican calls, one of which was for one that appeared to have collided with something and another that was hungry.

"There seems to be more pelicans than usual," Goldwater said.

Douglas County bird author Linda Hiller confirmed that there were more pelicans than usual.

"There are definitely more pelicans," Hiller said. "I think they've had a really successful hatch. I've had calls from people all over. Someone down in Foothill called to say they had wall-to-wall pelicans. That's the first call like that I've had in 10 years."

Pelicans nest on Anaho Island in Pyramid Lake, which is one of the largest nesting sites in the Western United States.

"Usually the pelicans stop in Washoe Valley and then skip over Carson Valley and head down to Topaz," she said. "This year they're coming down."

Hiller said she didn't think the dry winter is responsible since several places still have water.

"I just think this is an unusual year for pelicans," she said.

Pelicans eat fish and between 8,000 and 10,000 return to Pyramid Lake during the spring from Southern California and Baja, Mexico, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Accoring to the service's Web site, the birds count on spring spawn runs of Pyramid Lake fish for sustenance while nesting.