After mostly freezing over this past weekend, the entrance channel to Presque Isle Bay (between North Pier and South Pier) was again unfrozen as of Tuesday, with lots of waterfowl activity (e.g., 1000s of birds): Redhead, Scaup, Canvasback, Mallard, Canada Goose, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, American Coot, Common and Red-breasted Merganser, Horned Grebe, etc.

Finishing up with earlier, sunnier shots of some of these same species at South Pier, from last week:

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Brief thoughts on why identifying Lesser Scaup vs. Greater Scaup in flight is difficult. (As a first premise, Lesser Scaups are primarily fresh-water ducks, so most “Scaups” in Erie will be Lesser. Great Scaup more common by the ocean.)

First ID factor, at A above: black “nail” at end of beak is typically narrower on Lesser Scaup and wider on Greater Scaup. The nail of this duck is fairly narrow = suggests Lesser Scaup.

Second ID factor, at B: head iridescence, viewable only in full sunlight. Generally, purple on Lesser Scaup, green on Greater Scaup. Colour on this bird is green = suggests Greater Scaup.

Third ID factor, at C: delineation between upper breast and belly/lower breast is typically sharper on Greater Scaup. This bird exhibits “not sharp” patterning = suggests Lesser Scaup.

Fourth ID factor, at D, frequently mentioned in ID guides: white stripe on wing primaries extends almost to the end in Greater Scaup, usually just halfway down on Lesser Scaup. Here, white extends fairly far down the wing = suggests Greater Scaup.

So, two for Greater, two for Lesser, you can see the challenge. But based on location + head colour and wing colour varying significantly between the two species (i.e., neither is dispositive), probably this is a male Lesser Scaup.

“Carnivorous Coot cuties?” “Carcasses and carnivorous Coots?” Whatever the alliterative title, it was this last Saturday at Presque Isle State Park at North Pier, same spot as “Hot Spot.” A lone section of ice-ringed open water, with lots of in/out waterfowl activity, including American Coots.

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At one end, what appeared to be an unusually large number of frozen/dead waterfowl carcasses. Around the perimeter, at least three individual and group Coots apparently exhibiting carrion scavenging behavior. The immediate question: do Coots eat carrion?!?

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Obviously, Coots aren’t carnivorous. They’re paddling around the cattails in summer, diving underwater for vegetation, etc. Wouldn’t be surprised if they’re opportunistically omnivorous; what water bird wouldn’t like a bug or worm or snail with their pond vegetation? But carrion?

Next thoughts, maybe those aren’t carcasses? Maybe something other than “flesh eating?” Taking a close look, however, definitely appeared to be, e.g., frozen dead Scaup, and bloody Coot beaks, etc. strongly suggested carrion scavenging.

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Later, Internet research was scant, indicating “Coots will eat carrion but it is not preferred.” These Coots seemed fairly enthusiastic. Then again, it was the end of a very cold week; maybe better food was scarce. Also, with the ice, perhaps physically practicable for the Coots to scavenge vs. carcasses floating in water.

Can’t tell for sure why the number of dead waterfowl (maybe the very cold weather + lack of food) or why this isn’t seen more often, but certainly fascinating behavior to witness.

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In other “fun Coot activity” on this same day, they’re walking on ice!

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Even better, a final shot of American Coot running on ice! One of the funnier bird things ever, as they sought to get away from humans approaching on the pier.

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Sometimes in bird photography there’s sunshine. Even in Erie, Pennsylvania in winter. These lovely shots off South Pier last week, on a painfully cold day.

So nice to pick up the head iridescence on these male Goldeneyes!

With the windchill, probably below 0 deg F (-18 deg C). So cold, even human footprints were frozen!

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Coming soon, more sunny ducks, and a word about Scaup ID!

The hot spot this weekend (figuratively speaking) was North Pier/South Pier, all centered around a small patch of open water at the east end of South Pier. Shot immediately above is the view from North Pier (@ Presque Isle State Park) towards South Pier; open water is at very center of shot. With nowhere else to go at this location, waterfowl activity was quite concentrated + things flying in/out.

Saturday afternoon, a brief appearance from a BirdingPI.com “first sighting ever” (!), a beautiful male Black Scoter. Key field markings: black colour & distinctive orange knob at base of bill. Shot above, it’s flying in with Redheads. Following wide-angle shot, Scoter is left of center:

More distant views of Black Scoter w/ mixed waterfowl:

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It took flight at one point, soon returning to the same spot:

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More Black Scoter, etc.:

Finally, along with a lot of other ducks, the Scoter startled and left the scene:

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Then Sunday afternoon, at this same location, great sighting of more Surf Scoters! Males black w/ knobby black/white/orange bills, females dark brown w/ two white spots on face:

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Species seen at this location Sat/Sun: Canada Goose, American Coot, Redhead, Bufflehead, Canvasback, Lesser Scaup, Horned Grebe, Ruddy Duck, Surf Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Common Goldeneye, Ring-necked Duck, Common Merganser, Tundra Swan, Red-breasted Merganser, maybe a Mallard or two!

Continuing on with recent waterfowl coverage at South Pier, Erie, Pennsylvania, from the last couple/few weeks. Following shots are female Bufflehead (in flight) x Lesser Scaup (takeoff mode):

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Coming up soon, reporting from yesterday at Presque Isle State Park, including a BirdingPI.com “first ever” (!), & carcasses and carnivorous Coots!

Dateline: 22 February 2025

Well, it’s Saturday morning here in Erie County, Pennsylvania and – gasp! — it’s actually sunny! After seemingly a week of constant snowfall, almost a miracle. (Temps low but not super low.) Time for a quick, “partially almost real-time” post for BirdingPI.com staff to get out to Presque Isle State Park ASAP!

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Good as place as any for finishing up McClelland Park the other day, esp. fun shots of cute Red-bellied Woodpecker:

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Wishing everyone a “Happy Friday.” Unless you’re in Australia (for example), in which case “Hope you’re enjoying the weekend!” It’s lunchtime here in Erie County, Pennsylvania, and looks like seafood’s on the menu:

Unless indicated otherwise, all shots female (or immature) Red-breasted Merganser, as above and immediately below, including a tasty crustacean, @ South Pier.

(Shot above mostly Redhead, Mallard, & Lesser Scaup ducks.)

(Shot above mostly Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Canvasback, & Lesser Scaup ducks w/ an American Coot or two.)

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It’s the third or fourth day today of a mid-week “deep freeze” here in Erie County, Pennsylvania, with snowy conditions and temps around -9 degrees C. In bird news, the PI Bay entrance channel between North Pier and South Pier re-froze as of yesterday; still lots of duck activity in flight between open pockets of water @ outer Lake Erie and unfrozen portions of outer Misery Bay. More South Pier/duck pictures forthcoming, but here’s the final installment of snowy photography from this past Saturday at Presque Isle State Park, with a brief/cold stop at Thompson Bay/ Beach 11:

Shot above (+ similar shot at top of post) is from Beach 11, looking east-ish towards outer Thompson Bay (foreground) + Gull Point (horizon). The tree line is ‘inner’ Gull Point, with outer Gull Point (mud flats, dunes, observation platforms, etc.) on the right horizon and mostly obscured by snow.

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In today’s post, more snowy/gloomy bird photography this past Saturday at Presque Isle State Park, moving on to North Pier. Following’s the view southeast from North Pier, with the east end of South Pier on the right and the Hammermill smoke stacks middle horizon; East Ave Boat Launch would be on the right horizon:

Male Common Goldeneye landing in snowfall:

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Coming up soon, more snow, more cold!

Recent weather in Erie County, Pennsylvania = wintery. Rain, snow, more snow, wind, cold, even worse cold, etc. These shots from Presque Isle State Park this past Saturday morning, w/ snow and very dark/gloomy lighting conditions:

The GBH below is in the shot above, left of center below the horizon.

Unless otherwise indicated, following shots are American Tree Sparrow @ snowy conditions, by Long Pond – maybe a flock of 20+:

Lots of ducks assembled in this interesting spot of open water on Long Pond. These include Hooded Merganser, Ring-necked Duck, Red-breasted Merganser, Lesser Scaup, Mallard, & American Black Duck:

Unfortunately, even though BirdingPI.com’s staff photographer was by the road (& thereby fairly far away from this pocket of duck activity), startled fairly quickly:

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