Breeding Sites of the Australian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus in Victoria

Abstract

Published records and all available unpublished records of breeding by the Australian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus in Victoria have been critically assessed. Authentic records (i.e. those with details of nests, eggs and/or young) indicate that this species has bred at only eight locations since 1970 and at two additional locations before this. Two of these 10 locations (Lake Buloke and the Gippsland Lakes) had not been used before 1996, five have been used frequently, and the remainder have been used only intermittently. Although the breeding population of Pelicans fluctuates widely between years, the presence of the Pelican as a breeding waterbird in Victoria seems to be secure as it is able to utilise new sites when conditions become conducive to nesting. In Victoria, the sites used regularly are all on semi-permanent or permanent saline wetlands, typically on small islands in coastal lakes or embayments. Freshwater wetlands are sometimes used when islands and a reliable fish supply are present. There are only two locations (Mud Islands and Lake Corangamite) that have been used within the last 4 years for breeding, and there appears to have been a shift in breeding from French Island in Western Port to Mud Islands in Port Phillip Bay. Pelicans are vulnerable to disturbance at all Victorian breeding sites.