Over the years, Lexington has produced its fair share of celebrities — both human and animal alike: Kevin Richardson from The Backstreet Boys, actor George Clooney + Man o’ War to name a few.
But in October of 2021, a new celebrity migrated to town. He doesn’t have a mane or stage presence — he’s got feathers + a beak.
His name is “Pelly,” and he’s a pelican who has made his new home around the waters of Jacobson Park.
We spoke with John Brunjes, the Migratory Bird Program Coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, to learn more about Lexington’s newest visitor.
According to John, Pelly is an American white pelican — more commonly found further west.
In the past few years, thousands of them have been spotted at Lake Barkley in western Kentucky. They have started to make a pit stop here while migrating from the western Great Plains to the Gulf Coast.
On rare occasions, a pelican has made its way to Lexington. But it usually moves on within a day or so.
Some residents believe Pelly was injured, and therefore couldn’t continue on his journey. However, Pelly can now be spotted flying all around the lake at Jacobson Park.
John told us, “These birds are very susceptible to frostbite which can cause holes in their pouch.”
Pelly has survived the winter, withstanding unseasonably cold temperatures + multiple snow days — making him both a spectacle to witness and an inspiration to many.
It’s unclear whether or not Pelly will become a permanent resident of Lexington. But for now, he’s enjoying the 3,000+ trout that were recently stocked in the lake.
Pelly can be seen at all hours of the day at Jacobson Park, or you can follow his well-documented journey in this Lexington Parks Facebook group.
