1:20 p.m. - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is investigating high chick mortality and the departure of many of the American white pelicans at Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge near Medina.

A July 8 inspection revealed about 300 to 500 live chicks remaining after a nesting period that had the potential to produce as many as 9,000. However, biologists believe the estimate of live chicks remaining is likely low because tall vegetation is hampering visibility. That same check showed about 2,000 adults remaining from a late May population estimated at 18,850.

Samples have been collected and sent to the National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, Wis., to determine the cause of the chick mortality. Preliminary results could be available in a week.

Researchers on site last week noted that the remaining chicks are being cared for by the adults, which is a key difference from last year, when adults abandoned both nests and young.