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player ready...Seeing clusters of American white pelicans floating on the waters of Fox Lake means better weather is not far behind.
The annual rite of spring follows a migration path that brings them to the area from late March to mid-April, and is celebrated throughout the village with Pelican Palooza.
The fourth-edition of the event highlights local businesses, parks and public spaces, village-sponsored activities and attractions at the Fox Lake District Library.
Of course, the big-beaked birds remain the centerpiece of the celebration and provide an odd sight among the usual populations of ducks and geese.
American white pelicans are among North America’s largest birds, and for the time being tend to congregate near the village’s Lakefront Park on Nippersink Lake, or around Atkinson Island. The Chain O’ Lakes also provides a ready-made buffet, as one pelican can eat up to three pounds of fish daily.
“While pelicans will eat any species of fish, they are feeding mainly on gizzard shad,” said Andy Plauck, a fisheries biologist for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. “The shad are readily abundant on the Fox-Chain area.
“They commonly have die-offs over the winter and early spring,” he said. “When the ice melts on the Chain, those dead shad become easy meals for loons, eagles and pelicans.”
Village officials noted the increasing number of people each year with cameras, both visitors and residents, and expanded its local pelican photography contest for 2023. They are accepting submissions sent to [email protected] through April 17, with postings on social media and prizes for the best photos.
“Participants are having a lot of fun this year,” Amy Whitis, the village’s parks and recreation director, said. “We’ve seen an increase in our photo contest and scavenger hunt, with many residents submitting photos from the various Pelican Palooza activities.”
The bird-themed scavenger hunt (www.goosechase.com) is a free download application on Google or Apple. Look for Pelican Palooza, or enter the code, X4QR4V. The family-friendly search can earn cookies.
Completing your scavenger mission allows you to enter a raffle for prizes. Local businesses linked to the hunt, called “Pelican Partners,” have special offers for shoppers.
“We added this way to participate in the scavenger hunt through the Pelican Palooza app, where people can learn about pelicans while searching for clues around the village,” Village Administrator Deb Waszak said.
The Fox Lake District Library, at 255 E. Grand Ave., has crafts for kids to build, and a local pelican photography exhibit on the second floor. Availability of the kits and the exhibit continue through April 17.
The event gives a chance for families to enjoy a day out in the open air, and visit the downtown area. Fox Lake is also the northern terminus for Metra train service, and the station is within easy walking distance to the lake.
“The Palooza is our way of having some fun; a way to make folks aware of the American white pelicans that migrate through the Fox Lake area every spring,” Mayor Donny Schmit said. “It’s also an education, being able to learn about them, too.
“We encourage everybody to come and participate,” Schmit said. “This is a rare event.”
For more information, contact the village’s parks and recreation department at 1-224-225-1404.