ML646238183

Observation details

Continuing. Large, mostly brown bird with white-ish belly, + distinctive/unmistakable pelican beak. At east end of South Pier. Initially hunkered down with a very large number of gulls. Wouldn't have been able to ID it, but after waiting around for what seemed like a very long time in the cold, it finally popped up for some preening and wing shaking. Fairly soon after, it took flight with some of the gulls that startled. Flew towards outer Lake Erie and then back, landing in the channel, where it splashed/bathed for a short time. Eventually saw it return to the very SE corner of South Pier (facing East Ave Boat Launch), where it went back to preening. Would have stayed longer, but was losing feeling in my extremities. See pics. [Edit: forgot to say, thanks to Marc B. on site earlier for confirming the pelican's presence, otherwise I would have given up due to lack of activity + wind chill. Nice to meet you!]