The last Willow Ptarmigan sighting at Presque Isle State Park was over a week ago; an Internet search reveals no subsequent sightings in Ohio, New York, Ontario, or anywhere else; sources suggest the bird may have moved on due to seasonal changes and/or the July heat. And with the ‘big bird event’ of the summer over, it was back to normal at Gull Point yesterday – a few birders, more casual hikers, actually rather peaceful.
Peaceful perhaps, but a great day for bird activity; these shots all long distance from the old observation platform:
The plover in the shots above is very pale. Differentiated from Snowy Plover based on location + determinative yellow legs in the following shot (i.e., immature Piping Plover are pale with yellow legs; Snowy Plover would have dark legs):
Coming up soon, more shorebirds!
The big thrill for Eerie birders is over! The P bird headed home, where he had to pay a tariff to get back into Canada!
Great series of photos, and as always, fun cartoons!
Well, we hope the Ptarmigan is safe and sound and heading back to Canada! How can anyone know for sure? Very unusual to have essentially a transient bird around for a month. Seems like lots of folks got to see her, which is great for birders who might never otherwise get the chance.