Dateline: 4-5 February 2023
Despite cancelling Saturday BirdingPI.com field operations for safety reasons (excessive cold), it’s another epic-ish weekend update!
Weather Saturday: very cold/windy. Sunny in the morning, transitioning to lake effect overcast, transitioning back to hazy sun. Shot above – looking north, with lake effect clouds moving in from the west/northwest. Shot below: high clouds to the south.
Wintery Erie denizens:
Sunday, partially overcast turning to very overcast, but warmer; windchill still somewhat brutal in exposed spots (e.g., Perry Monument). Lots of duck, other waterfowl, GBH, and gull activity. Skipping over Long Pond and Presque Isle Bay for now, starting with North Pier and then Thompson Bay.
Following shot, view west from North Pier w/ slightly frozen back bay (Presque Isle Bay). Hard to tell the details due to backlit exposure, but Canada Goose, American Coot, Mallard, and Redhead:
A Double-crested Cormorant drying off in the cold wind, on South Pier:
Meanwhile, over at Thompson Bay, an unfrozen spot = ducks. Scaups, Redhead, Canvasback, Mallard, Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Gadwall, etc.
Bonus duck video:
Tundra Swan + guano:
Foreground: Tundra Swan; background left: juvenile Bald Eagle:
Presque Isle State Park trail conditions: mostly good with minimal snow and some frozen/icy patches; localized flooding depending on location and weather conditions.
Duck ID tip:
- Redhead duck (male): red head, gray back, gray bill with black tip
- Canvasback duck (male): red head, off-white back, black bill; head has more of a sloped shape
Next time: there will be gulls!