Pelicans usually wait until they are 3 years of age to begin nesting. They breed from June to August and lay 2 or 3 eggs. Pelicans maintain their population when the colonies are protected. However, these birds are sensitive to disturbances. When the parents are scared away from the nest, the young may be exposed to the sun causing sunstroke leading to death.
Regular disturbances can lead to permanent absence from the island.
For this reason people are prohibited from going within 100 meters of the island. The Redberry Lake Migratory Bird Sanctuary also has the largest known concentration of breeding White-winged Scoters in North America. It is a type of diving duck which breeds on the islands as well as the mainland. In late spring and summer you may be able to observe the scoters near Marshy Creek and Oscar Creek. This is an interesting and uncommon biological event.