It’s the latest the pelicans have ever come back to Saskatoon in 24 years. But they are back.

The first pelican to touch down at the Official Splash Down Zone between the CPR Bridge and the Weir in 2022 did so Thursday, April 21st at 11:48 a.m., as confirmed by the official spotters from the Saskatoon Nature Society.

This is the 26th year of the Meewasin Pelican Watch Contest. Previous arrival times have been between April 2nd and April 20th.

Meewasin’s CEO describes their return as exciting. Andrea Lafond says, “The beautiful creatures are a wonderful reminder of the importance of protecting natural habitats and help us celebrate the arrival of spring.”

The American White Pelican is one of the largest birds on the continent weighing 7-10 kg and having a wing span of up to 3 m. Breeding birds develop an orange horn on their bill that falls off after nesting season. The breeding birds seen at the weir have likely flown to Saskatoon from Redberry Lake, the site of the nearest nesting colony. They make the 160 km round trip daily. In late fall, our pelicans migrate to sites in California, Florida, Mexico and even Guatemala.