Australian Pelican

Found across Australia's rubbish tips, coastal and inland waterways, the Australian Pelican is highly nomadic, often traveling vast distances in search of food and suitable breeding grounds. During the breeding season, they congregate in large colonies, sometimes with tens of thousands of birds. There are only two breeding colonies left in Victoria, Mud Island in Port Phillip Bay and Gippsland Lakes.

The best places around the Mornington Peninsula to see Australian Pelican include Tootgarook Swamp, Devilbend Reservoir, Stony Point and Hastings Marina. They are particularly tame at Hastings where they hang around the boat ramp scavenging for a free meal.