Brown Pelicans roosting in trees at Sanibel Island. Photo by Ron deAndrade
This is being republished to correct the issue with some of the photos.
Q: We recently (April) returned from Sanibel, Fl . We noticed most Pelicans were in pine trees, near the top. I never see our Pelicans in trees on Seabrook. Is this from lack of beach trees or something else?
Thanks, Ron deAndrade, Pelican Watch
A: Brown Pelicans preferred nest sites are in mangroves, usually 2-3 meters above the ground. They may reuse these nests in subsequent years. On Deveaux Bank, the largest pelican rookery in SC, many do nest in wax myrtles. However, myrtles are not abundant and hundreds also nest on the ground.
Cheers – enjoy our pelicans!
Carl Helms
Here are several pelicans on nests in the myrtles…Here is a nest on the ground…Here is another pelican in a mangrove in the Galapagos Islands. Not nesting but roosting and preening but in a tree.And finally, here’s more pelicans in trees. Seabrook, winter 2010. 14th tee, Ocean Winds
SEABROOK ISLAND BIRDERS / “watching, learning, protecting”
Seabrook Island Birders (SIB) are residents, renters and guests of Seabrook Island, SC who have an interest in learning, protecting and providing for the well-being of the incredible variety of birds that inhabit Seabrook Island throughout the year.
View all posts by sibirders
4 thoughts on “Corrected: Ask SIB: Nesting Brown Pelicans”
Thanks Janis! I’ve updated the photos and it will be redistributed shortly. I hope this will solve the problem you and others had with viewing the photos. Nancy
Hi All, Returned from 18 days in Africa last week. Two sisters on trip, that are avid birders, complied this list. They live in West Ashley and Mt Pleasant. Many great photos. Thought you would be interested! See you Wednesday evening. Janis .
Sent from my iPad
Begin forwarded message:
> From: Julie > Date: May 25, 2019 at 12:03:47 AM EDT > To: Margaret Garrett > Cc: Belinda Ringpfeil , Marian Reeves , Cathy Coleman , “D. Gail Collins” , Debra Flowers , Dede Warren , Janis Skeffington , Karen Spencer , Kathy Milam , Lisa Hillman , Pam Preston , Priscilla Wilcox Holtzclaw , Steve Preston > Subject: Re: Africa in the news > > That is an incredible list for any trip! > Wow!!! Wow!!! Thank you for this! > > Julie > > Sent from my iPhone > >>
SIB 
Unable to see photos. Janis
Sent from my iPad
>
LikeLike
Thanks Janis! I’ve updated the photos and it will be redistributed shortly. I hope this will solve the problem you and others had with viewing the photos. Nancy
LikeLike
Pictures beyond the first were missing?
LikeLike
Hi All, Returned from 18 days in Africa last week. Two sisters on trip, that are avid birders, complied this list. They live in West Ashley and Mt Pleasant. Many great photos. Thought you would be interested! See you Wednesday evening. Janis .
Sent from my iPad
Begin forwarded message:
> From: Julie > Date: May 25, 2019 at 12:03:47 AM EDT > To: Margaret Garrett > Cc: Belinda Ringpfeil , Marian Reeves , Cathy Coleman , “D. Gail Collins” , Debra Flowers , Dede Warren , Janis Skeffington , Karen Spencer , Kathy Milam , Lisa Hillman , Pam Preston , Priscilla Wilcox Holtzclaw , Steve Preston > Subject: Re: Africa in the news > > That is an incredible list for any trip! > Wow!!! Wow!!! Thank you for this! > > Julie > > Sent from my iPhone > >>
LikeLike