Dateline: 7 October 2023

In breaking Presque Isle State Park news, BirdingPI.com’s Saturday field team spotted the surprise erection of a second observation platform at Gull Point! Despite the presence of construction materials, the second observation platform – new since last Sunday – appeared fully completed.

As shown here, the new platform and access trail are located just past the original platform southwest towards Thompson Bay:

Even with a smaller footprint than the original, the new platform would appear to provide interesting alternate views of outer Gull Point, Thompson Bay, and the main Gull Point lagoons:

Thanks (presumably) to DCNR for this exciting addition to Presque Isle’s birding/nature infrastructure.

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Meanwhile, Saturday weather was highly unsettled – patchy sun with clouds, rain, wind, cold temps, etc. Bird activity at outer Gull Point fairly subdued, but reasonably lively within the tree line. Trail conditions: wet.

Atmospheric Bald Eagle:

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Coming up soon, more from along the Gull Point Trail, including a rare/unusual duck sighting!

As expected, highly unsettled Saturday weather in Erie County, PA today – periodic clouds, rain, sun, & wind, + cool temperatures. These shots from sunnier times last weekend along the Pine Tree Trail, Presque Isle State Park.

Beautiful Black-throated Green Warbler (m):

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Coming up next time, major Presque Isle news! (Really!)

Lots of Turkey Vulture activity in Erie County, PA, but too far north for anything other than (very) rare/unlikely sightings of beautiful Black Vulture. So it was great to see these birds recently in Virginia (no good pictures) and here in Florida, at Crandon Park along the Osprey Trail (perched) and Crandon Marina Park (in flight).

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After a string of summery Erie weather, moderate thunderstorms/rain Thursday night (lightning over Lake Erie to the north) + overcast Friday. Weekend weather looks cool/unsettled. Happy birding/nature nevertheless!

Back at Presque Isle State Park along the Gull Point Trail, from last Saturday, 30 September 2023. Conditions: mild, humid, patchy foggy overcast.

Great to finally see Golden-crowned Kinglet this fall:

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This beautiful Greater Yellowlegs flew into the beach-adjacent pond where the outer old/official trail meets the beach at its west end:

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View of outer Gull Point (with gulls and Double-crested Cormorant) from the bay-side beach where the Gull Point Trail turns from NW/SE to SW/NE:

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Something startled the gulls/cormorants (see above), which then moved out to the outer lake:

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Coming up soon, more Gull Point! More Pine Tree Trail! More FL and AZ! #more_bird

Bonus post of what’s always the #1 reason to visit the desert southwest – the amazing state bird of Arizona, Cactus Wren!

Nice weekend at Presque Isle State Park: sunny Friday, warm/humid/foggy overcast followed by late day sun Saturday, foggy early AM then mild/sunny Sunday. Gull Point fairly quiet, interior activity normal. Trail conditions: dry/good except for typical muddy problem spots like Duck Pond Trail (east).

Lots of pictures forthcoming, meanwhile, these birds/bees from last weekend along Pine Tree Trail + Thompson Bay swamp/pond:

Great to get some decent ACIF (American Crow in flight) shots this past weekend at Gull Point, Presque Isle State Park.

Current contender for new BirdingPI.com Miami, FL HQ is this recently reduced waterfront Italianate villa @ USD $19.5MM – a bargain! Great spot for seeing Ring-billed Gull.

Can’t live in Miami w/o a boat, so it’s off to Crandon Marina Park on Key Biscayne for some boat shopping + birding. (Maybe mostly birding.)

Thanks to the kind folks at Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center for mentioning this amazing/easy to access spot (+ free parking). Excellent views of Biscayne Bay + lawn/trees/natural beach:

By pure happenstance, the ‘bird of the trip’ (re. unusual sightings) was an amazing Smooth-billed Ani at this spot. First a sound ID via Merlin:

Then flying between trees eventually to perch by the park restrooms:

Perhaps common in places like Brazil, this beautiful member of the cuckoo family = rare to see in the US. Per Sibley Birds East (2nd ed., page 200), “Rare and declining [in S. Florida]… recently recorded only a few times each year, mostly single individuals.” A good omen for visiting Miami!

Very cool zygodactyl toe arrangement (toes 2 & 3 in front, toes 1 & 4 in back):

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Don’t see many Black-crowned Night-Heron at Presque Isle. Guess they’re all down south, looking for fish scraps when the charter boats return, like these beautiful adults at Crandon Marina:

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More Black-crowned Night-Heron:

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‘Bird of the trip’ in the common/multiple sightings category was the lovely White Ibis, e.g., this adult at Crandon Marina Park. Plenty more shots of White Ibis to follow.

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Coming up soon, lots more from Crandon Park! Plus great ACIF shots at Gull Point!

More from Presque Isle State Park, it’s birds along the Pine Tree Trail x Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) on goldenrod, perhaps Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis), by Thompson Circle:

As promised, it’s amazing American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) in The Everglades west of Miami, FL.

Great way to see an American Alligator or three is via air boat ride; recommend Coopertown (no affiliation) as good for a bit of speedy fun + numerous stops to view wildlife.

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Another great way is the Shark Valley loop road via tram/hiking/biking:

Sighted multiple adult and baby Alligators:

Saw a couple adults in the grass by the road, but no photos due to a quick retreat into the water upon approach.

Alligators are great, plus it makes being close to the water an exciting proposition. Thankfully not a problem at Presque Isle. Yet.