Signs of Spring Migration: American White Pelicans Arrive in Lake County
We get especially excited when American White Pelicans begin arriving in Lake County. Their return is one of the most striking signs that spring migration is underway.
These enormous birds were once in steep decline, but their growing presence around the Great Lakes is an encouraging sign. Improvements in water quality and habitat protection are helping species like pelicans rebound, and their return each spring feels like a small conservation success story unfolding in real time.
One of the most memorable sights is watching pelicans soar overhead in swirling groups known as kettles. Using rising air currents called thermals, they can appear almost out of nowhere when conditions are right. It is a powerful reminder that our region sits along a vital migratory pathway, as these birds stop to rest and forage on their way to breeding grounds in the northern Great Plains and Canada. Lake County’s lakes, wetlands, and shoreline provide essential habitat for that journey.
In recent weeks, many of our members have been heading to places like Chain O’Lakes State Park, Fox Lake, Lake Marie, and other inland lakes to watch these gatherings. What might start as a dozen birds can quickly grow to hundreds, as large flocks arrive and settle all at once when they find open water and good feeding conditions.
Pelicans can also be seen along the Lake Michigan shoreline, with Illinois Beach State Park, Waukegan Harbor, and nearby lakefront areas offering great viewing opportunities.
They are fascinating to observe, especially because of how they feed. Unlike Brown Pelicans, which dive dramatically, American White Pelicans often hunt cooperatively, working together to herd fish into shallow water before scooping them up. It is not unusual to see dozens or even hundreds resting together in what birders call a raft as they refuel for the journey ahead.
Pelicans typically begin appearing in late March and continue through mid May, with numbers often peaking in April. Some may only stay a few days, while others linger longer if conditions are right.
This time of year also brings a mix of other early migrants. Birders are beginning to see Common Loons, Horned Grebes, and large rafts of waterfowl such as Ring necked Ducks, Redheads, and both Greater and Lesser Scaup.
Lake County Audubon will be scheduling bird walks at local hotspots in the coming weeks, offering opportunities to experience these birds and the broader wave of spring migration.
For many, the arrival of these majestic, almost prehistoric looking birds is a highlight of the season. With wingspans reaching nearly nine feet, larger than a Bald Eagle, they are hard to miss and even harder to forget.
Seeing pelicans here is a vivid reminder of how important our local habitats are. Moments like this make migration feel real, and these birds serve as incredible ambassadors for the season.
