Early May @ The Point

Still recovering from Global Big Day weekend, so it’s back to the previous weekend with shots from a hike out to Gull Point @ Presque Isle State Park.

KIF

Mostly overcast = photography/exposure conditions not great. Nevertheless, fun to see this Eastern Kingbird in action:

Twisting upside down to grab a bug mid-air

Least Flycatcher
Black-and-white Warbler

Following is a hoverfly (in genus Eristalis, exact species unknown) on what’s probably invasive Cypress Spurge (Euphorbia cyparissias), all over Presque Isle in sandy areas:


Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) on Cypress Spurge

Beautiful Dunlin @ outer Gull Point:


Probably Orange Sulphur butterfly (Colias eurytheme), on left, on Philadelphia Fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus):


Barn Swallow trio
More butterfly
BSIF
More Orange Sulphur
Probably Cabbage White butterfly (Pieris rapae)

‘Bird of the day’ (or any day) was a surprise early sighting of Whimbrel:

Whimbrel (r) w/ Canada Geese (l)
Whimbrel in lagoon

According to the nice folks at eBird, this was the earliest recorded sighting of Whimbrel at this location (or maybe Erie Co. generally) by at least a couple weeks.

Whimbrel on rocky bay-side beach
OIF

More Whimbrel:


Based on dark head colouration, this appears to be Semipalmated Plover:

Uncropped view from observation platform
Cropped view of Semipalmated Plover

Unfortunately, the Whimbrel left soon hereafter, heading out easterly over Lake Erie:

WIF
Departing Whimbrel

[Editor’s note: “KIF” = Killdeer in flight, “BSIF” = Barn Swallow in flight, “OIF” = Osprey in flight, “WIF” = Whimbrel in flight. Note to staff: please stop using “…IF” – thank you.]

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