BROWN PELICANS DYING IN GONZAGA BAY AREA

July 12, 2005, Doug Magee, Papa Fernandez, Gonzaga Bay, San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico Pelican Death Report:

About 3 weeks ago a large group of what we call brown pelicans came into our area. They flew inland about twice a day in large V's, returning to the water each time.

Then about a week ago we saw a dead pelican in the water. No big deal, but the next day another, and then more. One day there were 8 dead in front of my house. In talking to others this is taking place all over the area. One beach north of here has many dead birds on the beach. One has just died in front of my house.

They do not seem interested in food. There are a few balls of bait and only a few birds seem to go for them. Their behavior is different from the typical pelican.

Today there were about 10 birds in our area 1 died and right now I can't see any from here.

A few years ago a group came though here counting pelicans. They said the local population is based on available food supply. So without lots of food, which at this time there is not a lot of bait here, starvation could be the problem. And then these could be just a bunch of old pelicans dying.

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