Pelicans return to N.D.'s Chase Lake

Dave Bolin, a manager at the refuge, said the high number of pelicans five years ago may have been more than the area could support.  "That may have been unnaturally high and maybe last year was a natural correction," Bolin said.  "But we try not to discount anything on why they gave up their nesting effort last year."

Wildlife officials have checked air, water and soil quality at the nesting grounds. They also checked for diseases, predators and other possible factors.

Biologists this month are attaching electronic tracking equipment to 10 pelicans at the refuge to monitor their movements when they leave the colony, said Marsha Sovada, a biologist at the U.S. Geological Survey's Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center.

"Hopefully, it will give us more insight as to what's going on," she said.

Sovada said the adult pelicans are "acting perfectly normal — just as they were before last year's event."

Long-range video surveillance cameras and extra crews are monitoring the pelicans, and fences and signs have been installed to keep out predators and people.

Medina, a town of about 330 people about 15 miles south of Chase Lake, has an image of a pelican painted on its water tower.

Bradley Moser, the city operations manager, said the pelicans' disappearance last year has lured more bird watchers to the area this year.

He said it's easy to spot pelicans as they fly from the refuge searching for food. One had to be shooed out of town, for fear it may have snapped at a child, he said.

"Everything seems back to normal, by George," Moser said. "They're back and wandering around all over.  And they look healthier this year — their feathers seem brighter."

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