SCRATCHPAD
All about pelicans
By LISSA BREWER
COAST WEEKEND EDITOR
Drifting over breaking waves and gather-
ing on sandbars in large fl ocks, majestic pel-
icans have again arrived on the shores of the
Columbia-Pacifi c region, returning to sum-
mer feeding grounds along the coast.
With long, colorful beaks and impressive
wingspans, local pelican varieties stay near
the shore, feeding on small fi sh and amphib-
ians. Both American white pelicans and
brown pelicans call the North Coast home,
and nearby sightings of these gracious birds
are on the rise.
After decades of declining numbers due
to habitat loss and commercial pesticide use,
both pelican varieties have seen population
increases in recent years. The American white
pelican, with the longest wingspan of any
Oregon bird, has been spotted in many parts
of the lower Columbia, including at Youngs
Bay and at Jones Beach, near Clatskanie.
Some weeks ago, on a walk near Ecola
creek in Cannon Beach, I came upon a rest-
ing fl ock of brown pelicans. Numbering in
the hundreds, some were mingling with gulls
and others were diving for fi sh. Their shad-
ows were diffi cult to miss, even from afar.
Other favorite sites of the pelicans also
include East Sand Island, near Astoria, and
the Cape Falcon Marine Reserve at Oswald
West State Park. And many of these birds are
returning visitors – brown pelicans can live
for over 40 years. So greet a summer peli-
can, and return through the years to visit an
old friend.
Lissa Brewer
A group of brown pelicans stand by the shore at sunset.
ON THE
COVER
STAFF AND CONTRIBUTORS
COAST WEEKEND EDITOR
LISSA BREWER
THURSDAY
JULY 7
2022
Actors set the
stage in costume
during a rehearsal
for ‘Letters to
Anne of Green
Gables,’ staged
by the Peninsula
Association of
Performing Artists.
THEATER
AT THE
FORT
CHINOOK TROUPE
STAGES PERFORMANCE
PAGE 8
CALENDAR COORDINATOR
SARAH SMITH
ASTORIA
ART WALK
PAGE 4
CRAFTING
NATURE-
INSPIRED
LIGHTING
PAGE 5
MYSTERY
OPENS AT
COASTER
THEATRE
PAGE 12
EXPERIENCE ASTORIA.
CONTRIBUTORS
M.J. CODY
WILLIAM DEAN
LINDA HOARD
PETER KORCHNAK
BARBARA LLOYD McMICHAEL
BRIAN MEDFORD
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THURSDAY, JULY 7, 2022 // 3