He reached the top of the bank in a single, powerful leap. Hazel followed; and together they slipped away, running easily down through the wood, where the first primroses were beginning to bloom.
Adams, Richard. Watership Down. Macmillan Publishing Company, Inc., 17th printing, 1975.
For Mr. Hunter, 4th grade.
Usually down in the shrubbery (“heard not seen”), it was great for a couple recent, uncommon appearances of Common Yellowthroat along the Gull Point Trail, close to the trailhead at Bundy Beach:
On one occasion, a male (see above), on the other, two of what were females and/or juveniles:
Lots and lots more shots of both:
Part II of 7/7 content from Presque Isle State Park along the Gull Point Trail:
(Trail note: fastest route to outer Gull Point is along the beach, which requires diverting through the brush in a couple spots, as above.)
Nice shots of an older chick Spotted Sandpiper:
At this same spot, an older juvenile Spotted Sandpiper:
Plus more chick Spotted Sandpiper:
More from Presque Isle State Park, back to the Gull Point Trail on 7 July, including plenty of pleasant shots of Short-billed Dowitcher:
And lovely Blue-gray Gnatcatcher off Budny Beach:
Coming up soon, special portraiture of Common Yellowthroat!
Plenty of Marsh Wren at Presque Isle State Park, but hard to photograph due to (i) inaccessible swamp habitat, &/or (ii) hunkered down in the cattails/reeds. Typical shots:
Here, lucked upon a very vocal/loud individual (audio clip below) in cattails fairly close to the Long Pond Trail. Strategy: carefully bushwhack along a slight deer trail to the edge of the marsh, then wait. Fortunately, after 5-10 minutes and lots of rustling, it popped up briefly into open sight:
Edit: further to received feedback, here’s audio (recorded using the Merlin app) of this bird (also Song Sparrow in background):
Beautiful morning at Gull Point yesterday – highlights included Tricolored Heron (different than the one last time), Whimbrel, Short-billed Dowitcher, & lots of swallow, blackbird, and European Starling activity. While waiting on photo editing, it’s shots from June @ South Pier, Erie, PA:
More Common Grackle & R-b Gull except where noted:
Final epic coverage from July 4th at Presque Isle State Park, along the Gull Point Trail, including lots of lovely AAIF (American Avocet in flight) – because it’s not every day there’s flying Avocet! (Maybe Florida somewhere.)
Fascinating to see a skeleton of what’s probably Longnose Gar (Lepisosteus osseus):
Could also be Spotted Gar or similar.
Finally, a special supplement featuring juvenile & adult Killdeer:
It’s the most beautiful bird at Presque Isle State Park, the amazing Gray Catbird! (This post brought to you by the American Gray Catbird! Appreciation Society, NW Pennsylvania Chapter.)
This individual (+ another nearby Catbird!) was quite vocal and persistent right along the ‘inner’ Gull Point Trail near the trailhead. Couldn’t tell if it was a juvenile crying for food, or an adult exhibiting nesting season aggressiveness.
More July 4th content from Presque Isle State Park @ Gull Point. (Post includes some previously posted preview photos.)
‘Bird of the day,’ an amazing American Avocet:
Beautiful Short-billed Dowitcher in flight & foraging in the lagoon:
American Avocet & Willet in flight:
Plus a surprise Whimbrel!
Dateline: 30 June 2024
Taking a break from July 4th coverage to return to the previous Sunday afternoon at Gull Point, with great/rare sightings of both Marbled Godwit (a BirdingPI.com ‘first ever’ at this location) & beautiful Tricolored Heron. All shots long distance @ 400mm from the observation platforms.
Alternating shots of Tricolored Heron & Godwit:
Finally, the Marbled Godwit took flight, seemingly departing Gull Point for points south:
According to reports, previous day there might have been as many as 4+ Marbled Godwits at Gull Point (e.g., after the heavy rain), but it was great to see even one, as here.