Pelicans make rare stop in West Lafayette

A small flock of large waterfowl not typically
spotted in Tippecanoe County made a pit
stop Thursday at the Celery Bog in West
Lafayette.

About eight American white pelicans dipped their beaks in the West Lafayette waters during their annual spring migration to northern nesting grounds.

The white pelican is one of the world's largest birds. An adult may weigh 15 pounds or more and sport a wing span of 9 feet. Their wing tips are black.

It's not clear why they stopped over in West Lafayette, someone said that maybe some of
the storms that hit knocked them off course.

According to National Geographic and other sources, American white pelicans spend the winter in the south along the Gulf of Mexico. When spring arrives, they head north to breed and raise their young.

One of the most impressive reports came a week and a half ago when about 350 pelicans made a temporary resting spot at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area, about 30 miles south of Terre Haute.

Now that's ALOT of pelicans!!!!!