It does not seem to be an escapee. It has, for example, no ring or such, says Anders Wirdheim, information officer at Birdlife Sweden, Sweden's ornithological association.
The closest breeding area for the Dalmatian pelican is Romania and Greece in Southeastern Europe.
It is strange because it first appeared at Storsjön in Jämtland, of all places. It was in early June. Then it was for a while on Frösön outside Östersund, before it appeared on Åland. Then it was in the Gävle area, after which it was seen on Röst up by Lofoten in Norway. Now it has been staying at Forsmark for a while, says Wirdheim.
Attracts birdwatchers
The pelican has caused a lot of commotion, not least among birdwatchers.
When it appeared in Gävle, 500 people came to see it, says Wirdheim.
The pelican is not the only remarkable bird visit in Sweden this year. A ring-billed gull, a rare visitor from North America, has spent almost the entire summer in Kungsträdgården in Stockholm.
It was discovered by chance by a birdwatcher who happened to pass by an older lady who was sitting and feeding seagulls on a park bench, says Wirdheim.
