Scientists in New York City are watching closely dozens of brown pelicans that were spotted in Jamaica Bay.
The rare sightings of the southern birds this far north raise the possibility that they may start calling the city home.
“It’s stunning to have them here”
Conservation specialist and photographer Benjamin Forbes trekked down to the shorelines at Breezy Point, Queens, on a windy Friday morning in November.
Forbes, with NYC Plover Project, checks on the habitat most weeks, but lately something has been standing out: pelicans, which most people associate with warmer climates.
“It’s stunning to have them here,” he said. “There were a whole bunch of them in groups, fishing, diving in the water. At least 45 pelicans. It was quite incredible.”…