American White Pelicans now in Canon City

Today I found that American White Pelicans had made it to Canon City (here is a picture of the group I saw). There are no lakes for them to breed here, but I believe they "stage" here on their way to Antero Reservoir located northwest of Canon City in a high park (8,000 foot) where they have bred for years. Antero is owned by the Denver Water District and it impounds water for that municipality. Due to drought, Antero was drained completely of water several years ago. Apparently because the pelicans found a dry reservoir, they have returned to Canon City and remained in the area for a month or so in each of the past several years. Even tho Antero now is filled to one third, the Colorado Division of Wildlife will not stock fish in it as there is no guarantee that it won't be drained again (which causes massive fish kills) so I'm afraid the pelicans will again this year find Antero an inhospital location.

I also heard a Black Phoebe call twice around the bridge over the Arkansas River.

SeEtta