Dateline: 21 May 2023
Another beautiful weekend at Presque Isle State Park, Erie, PA. After the rain Saturday morning: cool, humid, mostly cloudy; lovely, lingering scent of honeysuckle on the Pine Tree Trail (Common Yellowthroat, Bay-breasted Warbler, etc.; report forthcoming); Sunday: sunny, cool, slightly windy, beautiful day.
After just a fleeting glimpse the other day at Asbury Woods, BirdingPI.com personnel were dispatched for spending Sunday scouring the Long Pond Trail ‘hinterlands.’ Mission: Scarlet Tanager!
First up, by the east trailhead, another “first of 2023” BirdingPI.com sighting, Northern Parula! Not the best shots ever for showing distinctive colouring, but still excellent to see:
In that same area, another “first of 2023,” awful photographs of Blackpoll Warbler (m)(!):
Part of the southwest side of Long Pond is defined by a roughly NW-to-SE sand ridge; hence the stand of mature forest in this spot. Pond on the one side, swamp on the other, tall trees and brush in between = bird goodness.
Warbler nest near Boat Landing #5:
Several shady shots of Red-eyed Vireo:
BirdingPI.com’s springtime “go to” spot for the amazingly red Scarlet Tanager = Long Pond Trail:
Mission: successful!
This staff member had a disc filled with even better pictures, but tripped and fell in the water and lost all the data.
Spent the rest of the day moping around.
Will give credit to the leader of BirdingPI for finding the really gorgeous Tanager pics. It’s no wonder he’s the leader!
Pingback: Pond Of The Woods - Birding, PI