Pelican 'Pete' enjoys new home fishing in Pleasant View pond

A pelican appears to be enjoying its new, hopefully temporary home in western P.E.I. after provincial wildlife officials say it was likely blown off course during a storm as it was headed south.

MarleneAylwardsaid shefirst noticed the bird in a pond near her home in Pleasant Viewon Wednesday.

While she has enjoyedwatching and photographing the bird over the last three days, she says she's concerned about its welfare as the weather gets colder.

"I am worried, and I have called Wildlife and Conservation and they said that you know, those birds are smart and they know when they have to go," said Aylward. "So let's hope he does and that he can, you know, go where he has to go. But it's quite a far way from Mexico from here."

KenMayhew, an information officer with the provincial government'sForest, Fish and Wildlife Division said in an email the bird will likely soon resume its travels to warmer climates.

Pete's a popular attraction

In the meantime, "Pete," as the pelican has been named, is spending its time fishing in the pond besideAylward's house.

"He must be finding something in the bottom because his head goes way under and he's having a great time. But I don't know how he's going to ever get out of there," she said.

The pelican is also popular among Island birders. Aylward said about 40 people have come by over the last few days to take photos.

"We live way out in the country, so you know like some people have driven probably 50 miles to see it. Oh, I'd say there might have been 40 people that you know just came in, took some pictures, and that was it."

Aylwardsaid based on conversations with other birders, it is believed Peteis an American white pelican.

• MORE P.E.I. NEWS |Government using funding announcements to influence byelection, PCs say
• MORE P.E.I. NEWS | P.E.I.'s PNP program leading to double standard for Canadian immigration, says lawyer