White Pelican in Ingham County

[Allen T. Chartier]

Birders,

This morning, around 9 a.m., an American White Pelican flew northward over I-96 a mile or less east of the Williamston exit in eastern Ingham County. It was fairly low, about 3-4 times treetop height. We was unable to follow it as I was cruising at 70 mph on the freeway, and it quickly became obscured behind a woodlot near the road. We were in the area again around noon, returning from a morning of photographing wildflowers in Ionia County, and checked areas east of Williamston along Grand River Avenue but didn't find any open wetlands, and no pelican. It may have gone to Lake Lansing, or perhaps kept moving, I don't know. This is the earliest I've seen a White Pelican in Michigan though there may be earlier records.

Another early non-bird (and lifer) greeted us at home in Inkster, Wayne Co. this afternoon in the form of a Mustard White feeding on the Siberian Squill in the yard. Neilsen (Michigan Butterflies and Skippers) gives April 17 as the early date for this species. It was completely white, above and below, and although our yard may not be appropriate habitat, I don't think it was a Cabbage Butterfly. I have photos.

Allen T. Chartier
amazilia1 at comcast.net
Inkster, Michigan, USA
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