The visitor would normally be found in the hot coastal regions of Africa, Asia, Australia or the Americas. It is believed to be the first sighting of such a bird in the Channel Islands.
Sammy Hogg, who photographed and videoed the pelican splashing around in the sea and flying over the island, said: ‘I saw a large white bird on the sea – I immediately knew what it was because of its distinctive long bill and its throat pouch.
‘It stayed on the water for a little while then flew off towards Raz Island. I’m glad I was able to take pictures of it because otherwise I don’t think people would have believed what I’d seen. For me, it was a real privilege to see this bird on Alderney.’
The Alderney Bird Observatory believe it was most likely a great white pelican or an American white pelican.
Great whites have a wingspan of 8-9 ft and have patchy distribution from the eastern Mediterranean, east to China and south to South Africa.
The American white has a wingspan of 8 ft. It is found inland in North America in summer and migrates to Mexico for the winter.
John Horton, ABO warden, said: ‘It could be an escapee from a zoo. There’s also the chance it came in ahead of the weather system causing Storm Ophelia. Either way, it’s very exciting.’