Hanging around Penelec Substation No. 8180 outside Union City, PA finally paid off Saturday with a beautiful ‘interior’ Osprey:
[Editor’s note: BirdingPI.com does not endorse “hanging around” public utility facilities.]
High Voltage
Weekend Update (II)
Dateline: 7 April 2023
Special ‘double post’ today to celebrate day no. 6+ of sunny weather in Erie, PA.
More content from Friday at Presque Isle State Park. First up, along the Dead Pond Trail (east end), first sighting this spring of Hermit Thrush:
ID: slight white eye ring, spotted breast, and red tail contrasting with brown back.
First (identifiable) dragonfly of the year, the beautiful Green Darner (Anax junius):
Yet another (!) spring first, happy to see Ruby-crowned Kinglet again:
ID tips: similar to Golden-crowned Kinglet except partial eye ring, lacks conspicuous yellow/gold head stripe, occasional hints of ‘ruby crown:’
The amazing American Kestrel‘s relatively common around the W. PA farmland down south, but here’s the first ever BirdingPI.com sighting at Presque Isle, in the woods adjacent North Pier:
Finally, lots of Turkey Vulture enjoying the sunshine in the woods adjacent Horseshoe Bay:
A Bit Rusty
Dateline: 8 April 2023
An excellent and unexpected encounter with a flock (16+) of amazing (and noisy) Rusty Blackbird Saturday at State Game Lands No. 109. Audio and video at the bottom.
Weekend Update (I)
Dateline: 7 April 2023
Cool but beautiful (mostly sunny) holiday weekend in western PA. No additional warbler activity, but lots of nature otherwise. These shots from Presque Isle State Park on Friday.
“First time this spring” along the Sidewalk Trail, west end, a lovely Brown Thrasher:
Another “spring first,” lucky this beautiful Eastern Towhee de-shrubified for a moment:
Yet another “spring first,” great to see Chipping Sparrow back in the area, by Beach No. 9 (Pine Tree):
Another Brown Thrasher along the Pine Tree Trail:
Lots more Golden-crowned Kinglet activity – consolidated post (with shots from other days) to follow.
Belted Kingfisher above the swamp across from Pine Tree Trail east trailhead:
Trail conditions: wet.
Following are flooded: Dead Pond Trail (west end); A Trail; B Trail; Long Pond Trail (west end); Duck Pond Trail; Marsh Trail; Sidewalk Trail (east end).
Next time: a special appearance from down in the southlands, and later, more great weekend content!