Pelicans are a familiar sight along the Yarrawonga foreshore but sightings have slowed this year as Lake Eyre fills.
Photo by
Christine McKee
Cavanagh’s Island on Lake Mulwala, better known as Pelican Island, has been a haven for the Australian pelican for many years.
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Free from foxes and other predators, the island is a breeding ground for the iconic waterbird, but recent weather has led to fewer sightings locally.
For 21 years, Peter McLean from Yarrawonga Flight Training ran scenic flights over the area with passengers able to see Cavanagh’s Island, with flocks of pelicans, in the summer breeding seasons.
“During breeding season you’ll see hundreds of them on Pelican Island,” Peter said.
“But it depends on the season; if Lake Eyre is full there will be hardly any on the island because Lake Eyre is a major breeding area for them.”
This Sunday marks the 2026 winter PeliCount where people across Australia will turn their eyes to the skies, lakes, and coastlines in a nationwide citizen science initiative to count Australian pelicans (Pelecanus conspicillatus).
Organised by COAST Rescue, PeliCount invites Australians to spend 15 minutes observing and recording pelican sightings in their local area.
Corowa Landcare co-ordinator Claire Birch said pelicans are migratory birds that move around to find the right conditions.
“It’s dependant on the season; I haven’t seen huge numbers in recent months because we've had fairly decent rainfall,” Claire said.
“They’ll definitely use this area, the Murray Darling Basin, the Murray River, and any open water; you'll even see them on the odd farm dam that might be a stopover point.
“They'll show up on big wetland areas, like a cleanup crew; if it's been a dry time and there have been fish deaths, or even just a natural cycle of water drawdown for an ephemeral wetland.”
Cavanagh ‘Pelican’ Island is an iconic breeding ground for pelicans and free of foxes and other predators.
Yarrawonga resident Diane Duffy said pelicans have been on Lake Mulwala for as long as she can remember.
They are usually seen on the Yarrawonga foreshore, but Diane warned against people feeding them.
“I’ve lived here for more than 10 years, and my husband and I travelled here to play golf for 30 years before that,” she said.
“I remember always seeing pelicans on the lake and down at the foreshore.
“There might have been only one or two some years, but they’ve always been here.
“But they can become quite aggressive if people are feeding them regularly; the locals should know better.”
This Sunday’s national PeliCount will provide important data to help understand how best to conserve the birds.
Olly Pitt, co-ordinator of PeliCount, said the project aimed to build a national snapshot of pelican populations, identify key habitat areas, and track juvenile dispersal.
“Pelicans are iconic birds in the Australian landscape, but there’s still so much we don’t know about how to best conserve them on a local level,” Olly said.
“This project gives everyone a chance to contribute to meaningful data while enjoying time in nature.”
Participants can register via email at pelicount.info@gmail.com, and there is a direct registration link on Facebook, to receive a data sheet link to record their sightings.
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