First up, a PSA that Presque Isle State Park was re-opened to vehicular traffic Friday/yesterday just around 12:20PM, for the first time since being closed last Friday due to the snowstorm/blizzard:
Re-opening Presque Isle
Main roads are plowed and in good condition:
Most trails are covered in thick snow, but portions of the multipurpose trail have been cleared:
Trail by Leo’s Landing
Lots of great bird activity Friday. While waiting on photo editing, it’s back to Thanksgiving morning with part 2 of Wild Turkey shots. “Pavo” = Spanish for “turkey,” w/ perhaps a Latin root considering the scientific name Meleagris gallopavo.
Not the best perspective since the Turkeys flew away down the road (startled by something, unclear exactly what), but still great to see this many in flight at once:
After a slight break in the weather Wednesday, Erie Snowpocalypse 2024 continued apace today (Thursday) with blizzard conditions. Difference between normal “lake-effect snow” and “blizzard conditions” = lower temps + heavy wind gusts w/ blowing snow. Yay!
All shots American Robin (as above), European Starling @ Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina)(as immediately below), & female Northern Cardinal (as second below).
As BirdingPI.com staff continues to dig out, the Snowpocalypse 2024 content is finally trickling in. These shots from yesterday in Erie County, Pennsylvania, of European Starling in heavy lake-effect snowfall:
It’s day 5 of Snowpocalypse 2024 here in north Erie County, Pennsylvania. Travel restrictions remain in effect in the City of Erie due to ongoing plowing; all schools closed. In good news, temps seem relatively mild today + periodic sunshine.
Falling snowflakes ISnow crystalsFalling snowflakes II
Here’s part 2 of recent, pre-snow fall birds in Millcreek Twp (“Gateway to Presque Isle”):
American Robin IDark-eyed JuncoRobins IIRobin IIIBlue JayHouse Finches (f)Northern Cardinal (m) ITufted TitmouseRobin IVJunco IIRobin VJunco IIIRobin VITitmouse IIRobin launch w/ berryJunco IVJunco on groundCardinal IIHouse Finch (m)Northern Cardinal (f) w/ fall colour
More photos from a rainy Thanksgiving morning at Presque Isle State Park.
Ducks (Common Merganser & Bufflehead) on Presque Isle BayMallards (m – foreground, f – background)
A Merganser (Red-breasted female?) scooches off in the rain:
2 MallardsEuropean Starling, profile, on power lineCommon Merganser in rainMute Swan on Horseshoe BayCommon Merganser (foreground) + Buffleheads in flight (background)Mallards IIIMergansers in rain IIMute Swan IIBuffleheads landing on Presque Isle Bay
In the following shot of South Pier as seen from North Pier, note East Ave boat launch in the background:
Gulls on South PierBuffleheads landing II, w/ MergansersSouth Pier, east endMixed ducksGulls on South Pier IIIAmerican Coots @ entrance channel to PI BayGulls at Beach No. 11Outer Lake Erie
Caught a slight break in the weather in Millcreek Twp. (“Gateway to Presque Isle”) yesterday afternoon with localized clear skies and sun. (Thankfully, the snowplows finally returned…) Weather this morning: snow. BirdingPI.com field operations canceled for day 3 due to road restrictions/conditions.
Snow falling
While waiting on forthcoming snow/ice pictures (?), here’s misc. photos from the last few weeks in Erie County, mostly Presque Isle State Park & South Pier:
American Tree Sparrow
ID note on American Tree Sparrow: dark eyeline like Chipping Sparrow, but note the distinctive yellow lower beak mandible.
American Pixie Gull in flight
Two Tundra Swans on Presque Isle Bay, first shot is cropped/enlarged, second is not @ 600mm:
Double-crested Cormorant
Following shot is American Coot & Ruddy Duck at head of Presque Isle Bay. Ruddy Ducks are at far right, fourth from right, and second from left, etc. Coots are the dark ones.
American Pixie Gull, floatingCanada Geese @ Thompson BayHerring Gull, probably, in flightFloating IIEither Mallards or American Black DucksGull IIFloating IIIGBH @ Thompson Bay swamp/pondVocalizing Ring-billed GullFloating IV
Following shot is at Beach No. 11 w/ Great Black-backed Gull second from right, + misc. gulls:
Gull III
These were really far away and are hard to see in the picture, but it’s Northern Pintail ducks on Long Pond + misc. Mallards/American Black Ducks. The Pintail males have the white chest + a band of connecting white up the rear side of the head:
Extreme enlargement (Pintail males at left, bottom center, and right):
Howling IIBelted KingfisherAmerican Tree Sparrow IIBald Eagles by Big PondHowling IIISeems like a bad idea…
You know it’s bad in Erie, PA when they just stop plowing. Figure at least 70 cm (28 inches) of snow from early Friday morning to Saturday morning. Perhaps the largest single-day snowfall in 5 years. Interstate 90 and PA Route 5 (main state highway along Lake Erie parallel to I90) both closed. Heavy snow expected through Tuesday morning.
Snow, Saturday morning, black-&-white
Heard a few Black-capped Chickadees this morning, otherwise minimal bird activity. Not unexpectedly. And with that, time to head back a couple weeks, pre-snow, for beautiful fall birds in Millcreek Twp (“Home of Snowpocalypse 2024”).
All photos American Robin (as above) unless otherwise noted.
[Editor’s note: Still lots of internal debate on “Snowpocalypse” or “Snowmageddon.” If any interested readers have a preference, please submit via the Comments box. Thank you.]
Friday weather today in Erie County, Pennsylvania: heavy snow and lots of it. All field operations canceled.
Just enough time yesterday morning for a quick outing to Presque Isle State Park before getting the tofu log into the oven. With substantial rain, the park was largely deserted other than duck hunters and the poor folks by the main entrance suffering through Erie’s annual ‘Turkey Trot’ 5k/10k. And for birds, what else for the Thanksgiving holiday than cooperative Wild Turkeys by Presque Isle Light House? (Truly a happy coincidence.)
Coming soon, more turkeys, featuring WTIF! (Really!)
What better way to celebrate the US Thanksgiving holiday than with pictures, maybe, of Wild Turkey? Unfortunately, as suggested by these real, unadulterated iPhone pictures, the local Wild Turkeys appear to be using some sort of electronic jamming system, or perhaps hypnotic transmission, to thwart hunters/photographers. Or something like that.
Wild Turkeys????Probably not Wild TurkeyWild Turkeys?Wild Turkeys
All kidding aside, here’s some lucky/nice shots from last Saturday at Presque Isle State Park, in a lull in the rain along the Long Pond Trail. (‘Lucky’ = ok weather + brief flurry of bird activity.)
Northern Cardinal (f)Golden-crowned KingletMallards in flight, distant