Thousands of large American white pelicans are congregating in central Iowa this weekend as part of their annual trek south for the winter. Kami Rankin, spokeswoman for the Polk County Conservation Board, says Saylorville Lake is one of the largest fall gathering spots in the world for the big birds.They weigh up to 20 pounds and have a wingspan up to nine feet. Rankin says the birds are spectacular to see in flight. About ten thousand of the pelicans migrate to the lake between mid-August and September. She says between 500 and two thousand are on the lake at any one time right now. Rankin says Jester Park in the town of Granger is hosting a “Pelican Fest” on Sunday from 10 A-M until 6 P-M. She says you get close to the birds, and there will be dozens of spotting scopes set up.For more information, call (515) 323-5300 or visit “www.conservationboard.org”.