4/27—The seabird pond is again open to recuperating seabirds. Here are four young pelicans, not apparently affected by domoic acid, but having had difficulties hunting. Others have not been so lucky and have not been found in time to survive. Others have gone on to San Pedro to IBRRC care. ...It seems early for so many young pelicans to arrive.

...News and photos of seabirds from the pond are always welcome! Please send to the address at the bottom of the page.

4/13: Domoic acid poisoning has reached Santa Barbara. June received a young pelican last evening from the Leadbetter Beach that did not survive. She has another, moderately affected, that will go to San Pedro this morning. See: this site's pelican news page for recent information on domoic acid and seabirds.

Monday: the pelican did not survive, seriously affected (apparently) by domoic acid poisoning.

Sunday, April 9: Another pelican is reported to be arriving for care. Reports have come in of 5 more off the Ventura area, oiled with an unknown substance, perhaps from storm damage and drainage in the Santa Clara River. (The IBRRC have been notified and they have notified the OWCN.) The male pelican from last evening is doing well, but does have some sort of oiling.

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Saturday, April 8: Two adult pelicans were brought from Carpinteria to the transfer point at the Summerland Post Office, then to June at the seabird station. Both were suffering from domoic acid poisoning. One, a female, well-fed, judging by her weight, was so badly affected, her head and neck bent way back, that she was brought to CARE for euthanasia.

There have been domoic acid warnings from San Luis Obispo County southwards against human consumption of shellfish and anchovies. The warnings were issued after samplings of seafood from Southern California showed elevated levels of the toxin. For more information, call (800) 553-4133. ...But who's going to tell the (Endangered) Brown Pelicans that depend on the fish!

Saturday, April 1: About 4:30, there's a call to the SBWCN Center from Sea Landing at the SB Harbor, saying there is a pelican acting strangely. Allison, a volunteer at the Center, called June and with fellow volunteer, Cyndi, brought the young pelican to the seabird station. It was a very young pelican, note the color of the feet, probably a female, and very thin and weak. Otherwise, she seemed okay. June tube fed her pedialyte and a mixture of pedialyte and Ensure.

Then, on Sunday, she was introduced to fish. Wow! This is a picture of her after her 39th fish that day, looking for more. Mark Russell at IBRRC said to June to give her as many as she would take; we decided to let her pause to digest. On Tuesday morning, she travelled to San Pedro to recover with some other young pelicans they have there. Her appetite was reported to be very strong! Hopefully, because of the presence of domoic acid in Southern California waters, the release will be delayed and away from that area.