Dateline: 20-21 November 2021
Saturday, despite decent weather, the Birding, PI.com staff attended state-mandated annual ‘workplace sensitivity’ training at the Holiday Inn Express in Grove City, Pennsylvania. At least lunch was included, e.g., the spinach Mediterranean wrap with hummus and roasted red peppers: pretty good.
Sunday dawned light overcast and chilly. Turned to heavy overcast and full-on rain by noon. Despite a fair amount of localized avian activity inland, the team was dispatched early to scour Presque Isle State Park for any and all birding/wildlife activity. Overall it was quite quiet, but confirmed sightings included: Crow, Robin, Dark-eyed Junco, Mallard, GBH, Canadian Geese, Red-winged Blackbird, Blue Jay, Northern Cardinal, various Gulls, light Sparrow activity, Northern Flicker, Red-tailed Hawk, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, and Pileated Woodpecker. Maybe Tufted Titmouse.
Trail condition varied widely, with many muddy/wet/flooded, and many in ok shape. No snow on the ground.
Sidewalk Trail (lighthouse trailhead): good condition
Sidewalk Trail (bay trailhead): flooded but passable
A-Trail: ok except for low spot with fallen log ‘bridge’
Dead Pond Trail (west, from B-Trail to Sidewalk Trail): passable but very flooded and wet/muddy in spots
Dead Pond Trail (east): muddy in spots, generally good condition
B-Trail: completely flooded and impassable
Pine Tree Trail: good condition
Thompson Bay trails: good condition
Ridge Trail (eastern end): good condition
Long Pond fishing access trails: good condition
With the trail update out of the way, and despite the poor lighting conditions generally, let us now enjoy a few bird/etc. pictures:
This staff member didn’t appreciate the “required” lunch. The “boss man” didn’t even pay for it!