Some recent bird sightings out-and-about in Millcreek Township, Pennsylvania (Official town motto: “Gateway to Presque Isle”).

Dateline: 10 Oct 2021

After the rain on Saturday, Sunday was drier and sunnier overall, but still hazy. PI (Presque Isle State Park) was unusually congested due to the “Hot Apple Cider Hustle,” a half-marathon/5k run-walk. Somewhat randomly due to the traffic, and since it seemed too windy for Gull Point, the editorial staff ended up hiking the Dead Pond Trail from the east trailhead off Thompson Circle, as far as the B Trail and back. Historically, this section of trail has been hit-or-miss (mostly miss) for birding. But, as we like to say, “In any location, birding activity varies significantly based on time of day, weather, and season” = ended up being a great couple hours. That is, if you like White-throated Sparrows, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Chickadees, Eagles, and Nuthatches. Which we do.

Along the trail, there’s an open space (see above and below) of grass, sand, and young, bushy pine. Arguably, this was the highlight of the day, with the White- and Red-breasted Nuthatches and Black-capped Chickadees enjoying the sunshine and pine nuts.

All photos with iPhone (7), Nikon D7500 + Nikon f5.6 200-500mm lens, or whatever other shenanigans were on tap. Bonehead move: forgetting your camera’s set to limited ISO when using shutter priority mode at 1/1600 or 1/2000 S = underexposed. Don’t forget to check your shots as you go.

Despite the camera troubles, very much enjoyed a White-breasted Nuthatch that was spending plenty of time in a nearby tree.

Dateline: 9 October 2021.

It was a bad start to the birding weekend with heavy rain early Saturday through to late morning. Despite the soggy conditions, our intrepid senior correspondent spent an hour on the Pine Tree Trail at Presque Isle State Park, before the afternoon thunderstorms (rather mild, as it turned out) kicked in.

The theme of the day was Sparrows (esp. White-throated Sparrows) and Warblers, especially Yellow-rumped Warblers. There wasn’t much to see deep in the woods, but for whatever reason, plenty of bird activity around where the power line crosses the trail proper, roughly towards the east end of Dead Pond.

All photos with the Nikon Z5 and 500mm f5.6 Nikkor PF lens. The lens is fine, but the Z5 – not the best camera for birding.

Are Pileated Woodpeckers a special treat? The answer is, “Yes. Yes they are.” See Alden, P. et al., National Audubon Society Field Guide to New England (1st ed.).  Thankfully, there’s an established population here in Millcreek Township (“Gateway to Presque Isle”), but sightings are erratic enough for the Field Guide saying to hold true.

Fortuitously, members of our editorial staff had the wherewithal to capture a recent encounter on film. Or SDHC card. As always, ‘best efforts’ – tough to get sharp results at such a long distance.

A beautiful day Saturday for birding and photography at Presque Isle State Park. Mostly sunny, warm, light to moderate wind. Other than bicyclists, not that many people out. Still plenty of mosquitoes, though – looking forward to the first hard freeze.

Hiked a loop of the Sidewalk Trail (Presque Isle Lighthouse trailhead) to the Marsh Trail to the Ridge Trail (north section) to the Fox Trail back to the lighthouse. All trails passable but muddy in places. Light/moderate bird activity – mostly Kinglets, Warblers, and Sparrows.

Next, over to the Pine Tree Trail (good condition), which was literally hopping with activity: Jays, Kinglets, Warblers, Woodpeckers, Juncos, Crows, Mallards, Wood Ducks, Great Egret, Brown Creepers, White-breasted Nuthatch, Sparrows, etc. Depending on the weather, season, and time-of-day, the Pine Tree Trail can be sleepy, but times like this show why it’s a PI classic. Great day for enjoying this narrow strip of old pine woods.

There’s no better place locally than Presque Isle for diverse habitats and the chance to see interesting birds and other wildlife. But even a walk around the neighborhood can be surprising. Take this recent ‘guest appearance’ from what appears to be a female Merlin (Taiga coloration). Not to mention Nashville Warblers and Sparrows.

These are all recent sightings in Millcreek Township, PA – late September 2021.

Storms overnight Saturday, but clear and sunny Sunday morning with light wind. Gull Point was extremely quiet, perhaps due to the recent bad weather. No geese or cormorants even. Somewhat quiet overall in the interior, but plenty of interesting bird, etc. activity. Gulls, Geese (in the distance), individual Cormorants (in the distance), Bald Eagles, Sparrows, Robins, Herons, Crows, etc.

Weather was on-and-off hazy Saturday, 25 Sept 2021. Still windy, with regular rain and warm temps, especially overnight. Good hiking on the interior PI trails, but mostly quiet in terms of bird activity.

Trail conditions were generally ok over the weekend, but wetter/muddier than the last week or two due to recent overnight storms. Gull Point old outer trail now flooded and impassible without getting wet/muddy. Of note, the SE trailhead of the Long Pond Trail is dry enough to get by ok as far as the pond – thanks to whoever put down the makeshift logs to get past the main wet spot.

A-Trail – passable, muddy
Pine Tree Trail – good condition
Graveyard Pond Trail – passable, muddy
Long Pond Trail (SE trailhead) – passable, muddy; overgrown
Long Pond Trail (NW trailhead) – flooded
Sidewalk Trail (SE trailhead) – good condition
Sidewalk Trail (NW trailhead) – good condition
Marsh Trail – passable, muddy
Ridge Trail – good condition
Boat Landing 3 trail – good condition
Boat Landing 4 trail – good condition
Dead Pond Trail (northern section) – passable, muddy
Gull Point old trail (inner) – flooded
Gull Point old trail (outer) – flooded
Thompson Bay access points – good condition

19-20 Sept 2021. Presque Isle update.

Outer portion of the old Gull Point trail was muddy in spots, but passable in boots without special effort (e.g., no waders needed). Emphasis on ‘muddy,’ however. Particular activity in Northern Flicker, Bald Eagle, Yellow Warbler, Robin, Grey Catbird, and the smaller Flycatchers. Plenty of Double-crested Cormorant and Canadian Geese migratory activity out at the point. Shorebird sightings included Semipalmated Plover, Killdeer, and Yellowlegs (Lesser?) at the point, and Solitary Sandpiper on the bay side.