A dramatic and rather excellent weekend out at Presque Isle State Park. Early migratory activity picking up a bit, lots of “first spring/2023” – Brown Creeper, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Osprey, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Northern Flicker, Belted Kingfisher, at least one each of wren and flycatcher (species TBD), etc.
Here, the BirdingPI.com “bird of the weekend,” the always amazing Merlin! [Squire’s Birding Guide to Pennsylvania, 2ed (1978): “Birding Rule 20(bis): Merlin trumps as ‘best bird’ of any outing.”] All shots off the Pine Tree Trail.
ID tip: tail tip appears square
Coming up soon, lots more weekend content, featuring weather/lightning video! Wow. Also birds. #more_bird
It’s the yearly PSA re. everyone’s least favorite cling-on, the tick. With spring, they’re back at Presque Isle State Park. (BirdingPI.com has catalogued at least four different species of tick at the park.) Be on the lookout, especially after passing through brush or long grass; back at home = clothes in the laundry + self-inspection.
Following recorded today after a pleasant time on the Pine Tree Trail. Not an April Fool’s joke.
Species: who cares? They’re all awful
More information here: ticklab.org (no affiliation).
BirdingPI.com’s ongoing series of “birds likely seen at Presque Isle State Park early spring” continues, with ducks!
Ring-necked Ducks @ Long PondMallard (f)
Backlit female Mallard over Long Pond:
Following’s not a great shot, but including to show pretty Bufflehead (m) colouring in the sunlight:
Bufflehead in flightHooded Merganser @ Thompson BayCanvasback takeoffCanvasback flightDucks!
Following probably Hooded Merganser female:
Hooded Merganser male (r; bottom) and female (l; top):
Hooded Merganser (f) @ backlit
Ring-necked Ducks on Niagara Pond:
Bonus video, complete with genuine Presque Isle road traffic! (Do not be startled by sudden passing cars.) Audio replaced due to wind and road noise.
Heavy rain and wind most of the day Friday. This Saturday morning, sunny, but another storm’s expected in the afternoon. Time to get out while the sun’s out!
Bonus post of recent shots of the first snake of the year at Presque Isle State Park, the beautiful Eastern Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis)! By the water crossover at Thompson Bay swamp/ponds. Snakes are great!
KIF (Killdeer in flight) with “sparkly background,'” from this past Sunday at North Pier, Presque Isle State Park:
Erie, PA weather Thursday: sunny, cold. Friday: warmer but gloomy/overcast; forecast for Saturday: high likelihood of afternoon rain; Sunday forecast: sunny with highs barely above freezing. Not expecting much migratory activity yet, but wishing everyone a nice weekend nevertheless! #enjoy_nature #more_bird
Winter weather Wednesday, with wind, wet snow, etc. (3+ cm snow, high temps Wed-Thurs a bit above 0 deg C.) Nevertheless, plenty of ‘seasonal’ bird activity – European Starling, Blue Jay, Northern Cardinal, American Robin, etc.
Icicles over Lake Erie/Thursday
Of note, unusual amount of Common Loon activity both on Lake Erie and Presque Isle Bay. Following shots are poorly lit (long distance + fog/gloomy conditions), but fun to see breeding adult plumage:
More icicles
Back to ‘spring,’ first Great Egret of the year spotted at Presque Isle State Park today! (Marsh by the road across from Long Pond.) Lots of heat shimmer due to the sunshine = blurry photo, but still nice to see these beautiful birds back in town. Video clips to follow.
The greatest Egret
Coming up soon, snakes! Really! Well, maybe one snake.
A ‘special release’ of Killdeer content from this past Sunday at North Pier, Presque Isle State Park. Landing shots below; also, please enjoy Killdeer/Geometry.
Never know what you’ll find doing SSD cleanup on the ol’ desktop. Ahem. Here, in anticipation of warmer temps and greener pastures, pretty nice shots of lovely Baltimore Oriole from May 2021, Presque Isle State Park.
It was the BirdingPI.com “official start of spring” Sunday with the first butterfly of the year – a beautiful Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) spotted along the Pine Tree Trail, Presque Isle State Park!
Mourning Cloak IMourning Cloak IIHint of green @ Pine Tree Trail
Saturday weather: cold, with steady rain and wind in the morning; very unpleasant. Afternoon, periodic thunderstorms and torrential rain. Very windy overnight. Sunday, cool, sunny, light wind – lovely day to enjoy nature. Conditions at Presque Isle: wet, e.g., shot below – this was a dry/grassy field last summer:
Pond adjacent Pine Tree Trail
Lots of bird activity, but nothing in the “new migrant” category other than a positive audio/call ID of American Woodcock.
Beautiful backlit Bald Eagle (juvenile) over the Thompson Bay swamp/pond:
Bald Eagle IBald Eagle IIRed-winged Blackbird (f), Thompson BaySong Sparrow, Thompson Bay
On Thompson Bay, a Blue-winged Teal (far left) and Ring-necked Ducks (right):
Ducks!Horned Grebe
By North Pier, couple nice shots of Red-winged Blackbird (m):
Blackbird IBlackbird IICanada Goose
On Niagara Pond (by the road), the amazing Northern Shoveler (m):
Northern Shoveler INorthern Shoveler II
At that same location, a Turkey Vulture:
Turkey Vulture ITurkey Vulture II
Generally, an amazing amount of Turkey Vulture activity – unable to get good shots, but counted 8-10+ by the Thompson Bay swamp/pond at one point.
Black-capped Chickadee
Wrapping it up for today with a cute Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger):
I heart pine trees
Stay tuned this week for more “great” content – gulls, ducks, American Robin, and a special report on amazing Killdeer activity on North Pier!
