TSIF

Tooth surface index of fluorosis? Thank swans it’s Friday? Maybe Tundra Swans in flight? Recent Tundra Swan activity at Leo’s Landing, Presque Isle State Park.

With entrance to Presque Isle Bay in background, South Pier on right and North Pier on left:

Maps To Birding Fun

BirdingPI.com is excited to announce (i) its December 2023 updated map of Presque Isle State Park, and (ii) more notably, its new Gull Point trail map! While Gull Point may have taken tens of thousands of years to form, it was only 10-20 minutes to capture on a cartoonish map! [Editor’s note: ahem – ‘cartoonish’ is not exclusive of general accuracy or informativeness.]

To celebrate, recent raptors in Erie County, PA!

Cooper’s Hawk, Presque Isle State Park
Red-tailed Hawk, Millcreek Twp (“Gateway to Presque Isle”)
More Cooper’s Hawk
More Red-tailed Hawk
#more_hawk
RtHIF

Finally, the ‘cherry on top,’ and in a rare 5 minutes of clear skies in Erie, Christmas night full moon:

More Strange Birds

The variable weather continues in Erie County, Pennsylvania. Cloudy/gloomy over the weekend, mild and eventually sunny Christmas day, cloudy/gloomy but unseasonably mild (13 deg C) Tuesday, & on-and-off light-to-heavy rain Wednesday. Above and below: Walnut Creek @ Asbury Woods, in full-flow mode.

And with the bad/gloomy weather, time to catch up on more recent “strange” (as in uncommon) birds at Presque Isle State Park. These long-distance shots are somewhat unsatisfying, so posted less for ‘art’ and more for informational/archive purposes.

First up, finally saw the Purple Sandpiper recently seen at Gull Point and the outer beaches and reported on eBird. This was on the breakwater off Budny Beach/Sunset Point. Dunlin-sized (medium), yellow-orange legs, droopy bill that’s yellow at the base and dark at the tip, & solid-ish upper chest transitioning to streaks to white belly.

On left, with Red-breasted Merganser on right:

Next up, an amazing Northern Shrike on Big Pond:

Overall gray (head, chest, back), + black wings & tail, + characteristic black mask. Distinguished from Loggerhead Shrike due to location/season + mask is less extensive. … Below, in a tree (towards top) with Bald Eagle:

Finally, at a very long distance on Lake Erie off Gull Point, an Eared Grebe (non-breeding plumage). Red eye, thin/straight/pointy bill, peaked forehead, + black cap that extends down below eye level for a “smudgy cheek.” Relative to Horned Grebe, lacks white-tipped bill and ‘clean line’ look on head.

Coming up next time, an exciting BirdingPI.com content update! Plus bird pics.

Xmas @ Gull Point

More “pre-Christmas” shots from the first full day of winter 2023 along the Gull Point Trail @ Presque Isle State Park. Above, a juniper festooned with Christmas ornaments, just off the “outer official” trail.*

Scant bird activity on the mud flats and outer beaches. However, great to once again see a beautiful Peregrine Falcon, which seems a recurring event this time of year. Also a pair of lovely Dunlin = unusual in December/winter.

Peregrine Falcon @ Gull Point
Dunlin + old observation platform
Old snow drifts @ Gull Point outer beach

[* Editor’s note: BirdingPI.com staff not responsible for indicated juniper shrub. It’s all festive/well-and-good, however the decorations appeared abandoned = essentially litter that will require cleanup.]

Best Christmas Ever (?)

The ultimate Christmas gift: Ring-billed Gulls in Erie County, PA. Here, it’s “Gulls doing gull stuff” x “Gulls with a giant floating Christmas tree ornament:”

Plus a great “stocking stuffer,” gulls diving!

Merry Christmas!