Pelicans near Kansas lake have some people concerned. What are they doing there?

Pelicans lingering around a Kansas lake have some people confused, and others concerned. But there’s no reason to worry, officials say.

“Rest assured, they are fine even though it seems odd to see pelicans in Kansas,” said Augusta Department of Public Safety. The pelicans have been spotted near Augusta City Lake, about 20 miles east of Wichita.

So, what are they doing there?

Every fall, American white pelicans migrate south to the Gulf of Mexico as temperatures begin to cool. Sometimes, though, that process takes “longer than usual,” Augusta Animal Control said.

And that’s not totally uncommon. In fact, city officials said they’ve been known to hang around Kansas as late as December.

“Migration patterns of both birds and insects are strongly impacted by wind currents,” said Kansas State University Animal Sciences and Industry Professor Cassandra Jones, according to the Butler County Times-Gazette.

“Kansas typically has relatively calm and consistent south-southwest winds in October,” she continued. “However, the second half of October saw unseasonably strong winds from the Northwest. It’s likely that the pelicans have been waiting for more ideal wind conditions to support their migration south to the Missouri and Mississippi River.”

Until then, police in Augusta were captured pointing two straggling pelicans toward Florida.

“After encouraging them to fly towards warmer weather, they informed us they’re on the best road trip of their lives, and may make Augusta their winter home,” Augusta Department of Public Safety joked on Facebook. “(Except they’ll fly to the gulf when they get too cold…who wouldn’t?!)”

Pelicans are one of the largest birds living in North America, according to the National Audubon Society. Their wingspans reach about 9 feet, and the birds can soar high in the sky despite their size.

They typically live near lakes, marshes and salt bays, though they do move inland during breeding season.

This story was originally published November 5, 2021 at 3:26 PM with the headline "Pelicans near Kansas lake have some people concerned. What are they doing there?."