StettlerLocal.com on August 7, 2023 at 7:36 pm
Pelican Island is as smelly and noisy as you'd expect, but it's a great place to watch local water birds.
The island, located in Stettler County's Buffalo Lake, is home to pelicans, seagulls and cormorants, among other birds.
"Buffalo Lake is one of the largest lakes in central Alberta and is recognized as being important for breeding waterbirds," says a 2007 report by the Alberta Government's Fish and Wildlife Division. "A total of 125 species of birds were detected during point counts, and an additional 20 species of birds were encountered during other activities on the lake."
Pelican Island is a small, rocky enclave that functions like an airport, with dozens of wary birds scrutinizing visitors on a quiet August morning. Without warning, a dozen cormorants take to flight, while pelicans stand guard like a battalion awaiting orders.
"Due to the low water level this year, Pelican Island is three times the size, which means three times the birds," says Jme Andrew, owner of County Waters Kayaking.
Her company conducts kayak tours of lakes in East Central Alberta, including Buffalo Lake, where she takes groups on a tour of the south shoreline, as well as Pelican Island.
"The more people know about lakes, the more they'll want to save them," Andrew says.
On a clear August morning, Buffalo Lake looks radiant with smooth water under a brilliant blue sky. Seagulls, the loudspeakers of nature, fly overhead, announcing the visitors' presence to the surrounding shoreline.
Kayaking on Buffalo Lake is an up-close-and-personal way to experience the lake. The tour, departing from the marina at Rochon Sands, takes about two hours for novices.
County Waters Kayaking runs tours from May to October.
