Puntzi Lake pelicans fly commercial after chilly rescue
PUNTZI LAKE, B.C. — During the American White Pelican’s migration, it has stopped to breed on Stum Lake in the Chilcotin region since 1939. In fact, the government created White Pelican Provincial Park, located approximately 60 km northwest of Williams Lake on the Chilcotin Plateau, to provide security for the pelican nesting sites. Stum Lake, within White Pelican Provincial Park, is closed to the public from March 1 to Aug. 31 every year to protect the White Pelican nesting colony. This colony of American White Pelicans is the only nesting colony in British Columbia. They are very sensitive to disturbance; disturbances can result in the loss of all young.
Ingrid Myckatyn has lived at nearby Puntzi Lake off and on since 1991, and wildlife viewing is a large part of her love for the area.
“The pelicans have been a passion of mine ever since they arrived to nest here four years ago,” she said. “For some reason, they began nesting here at Puntzi. No one seems to know if it’s predation or human conflict that made them seek out new nesting grounds.”
Ingrid was told there was a successful hatch at Stum Lake this year. She reports there were 60 to 70 chicks hatched on that island on Puntzi Lake the first year, and more than 300 nests on the island this year.