Sadly, no fly photographs in this post. It was the Sunday-before-last after the rain, on the Pine Tree Trail: loads of insects, & loads of birds eating said insects. Fun times until the clouds of biting flies appeared near the west trailhead. Bad news when the BirdingPI.com van’s at the east trailhead.
What to do if attacked by flies at the west Pine Tree Trail trailhead? (i) Retreat to parked vehicle; or (ii) lacking said vehicle, retreat to nearby beach! Here’s a fly-free medley of Ring-billed Gull, Canada Geese on the beach, Spotted Sandpiper, & Herring Gull. Not fly-free generally, rather insect fly-free. Since there are birds flying.
[Photo Editor’s note: shot above, + three below of flying gulls = all Herring Gull.]
Once at the beach (by Pine Tree Trail west trailhead), easy, pleasant walk back to the east trailhead, mostly sans flies. Plus leisurely time to ‘enjoy’ the entrance to Budny Beach, and bunnies!
Erie County, PA weather forecast looks good for the 4th of July holiday & following weekend. (Perhaps some rain Friday afternoon/evening.) Wishing everyone happy nature/birding!