Gargi the Pelican

Dear Readers, you may remember that last year I described a visit to St James’s Park, and my encounter with Gargi, the free-flying pelican. Gargi was renowned for occasionally visiting the nearby Zoo, at or around feeding time for the penguins, but it appears that this is not the only thing she’s been getting up to, Four chicks have hatched, for the first time in 360 years, but their parentage is uncertain – five eggs were laid in three nests, and thirty-year old Gargi has been sharing brooding duties with another female, eight year-old Star. No one knows which of the two male pelicans, Sun and Moon, is the father. The chicks are now apparently about two feet high, and are doing very well, though they have a rather dinosaur-like demeanour which is a little challenging for anyone who likes their baby birds resembling an Easter chick.

Young pelicans (Photograph from the Royal Parks)

Pelicans (Photo Royal Parks)

You might remember me mentioning that the pelicans were locked up last year because of Avian Flu – apparently the nest building started then. As Gargi was free, it makes me think that maybe Star is the mum, and Gargi is just helping out. Whatever the story, it certainly cheers me up, especially as I’m posting this on the Solstice, the longest day of the year.