We interrupt our normally scheduled “squirrels eating pine cones” coverage for a PI Bird Alert. … Gorgeous afternoon yesterday at Presque Isle State Park, cold but mostly sunny. (Of note: lots of duck activity including Wood Ducks, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, etc.) Spotted on outer Thompson Bay by Beach No. 11, an unusually large number of amazing Surf Scoter. (Based on BirdingPI.com’s experience, ‘unusually large’ = more than one.) In this case, at least 20+ including both male & female:

More Surf Scoter:

More pictures of this amazing duck coming ASAP!

Part II of late-winter birds at Asbury Woods last weekend, Millcreek Twp, PA (“Gateway to Presque Isle”), under mostly overcast/light snow conditions:

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Coming up next time, cute squirrels eating pine cones!

Finally, Red-tailed Hawk content, and lots of it! All from Erie County, PA.

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Probably a breeding pair (see further below):

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A pair of beautiful Red-tailed Hawks apparently engaging in mating behavior:

This pair also seen gathering nesting material (nest location unknown); hopefully plenty of hawk chicks on the way for later in the spring!

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More hawk @ sunset:

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Erie weather: very cold/overcast Friday; forecast calls for rain/snow overnight with partially clearing skies Saturday, then sunny but cold on Sunday. (Warmer temps expected mid-week next week.) Happy birding/nature!

Leave it to Erie County, PA: first full day of spring, some of the worst weather of the season – overcast, brutal wind/windchill, blowing cold/wet snow, etc. Bird activity very erratic based on variable conditions, but plenty of American Robins around despite the snow:

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Guess we have to return to winter for spring-like conditions, here, BirdingPI.com’s final winter expedition to Gull Point this past Saturday:

“Bird of the day,” a trio of uncommon (for Erie) Sandhill Cranes heard and spotted flying overhead along the ‘official outer’ Gull Point Trail, generally east-to-west:

Lots of Song Sparrow activity currently both w/i the treeline & on outer Gull Point itself:

Lots of Killdeer activity on the outer point, spotted at least six:

Another winter spotting of presumably overwintering Yellow-rumped Warbler by ‘big bend‘ along the Gull Point Trail. (Also spotted late December & early/mid. February at this location.)

Awful weather Tuesday in Erie County, PA: light snow, overcast, bitterly cold wind, etc. But with the arrival of spring, BirdingPI.com is celebrating with lovely shots of beautiful Black-capped Chickadee from this past Sunday at Asbury Woods, Millcreek Twp (“Gateway to Presque Isle”):

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[Photo Editor’s note: conditions were cold & overcast w/ on-and-off light snow Sunday at Asbury Woods, i.e., generally gloomy, but lucky to get a brief, almost break in the clouds for decent lighting on these shots. In the pine trees close to the edge of the ‘meadow’ by the Nature Center.]

Happy “almost spring” 2024! Vernal equinox tonight at 9:06PM EDT. Meanwhile, Tuesday morning conditions in Erie County, PA: overcast, cold, light snow. While waiting on the return of nice weather, more January photographs at Presque Isle State Park, this time of American Pixie Gulls (formerly Bonaparte’s Gulls) on Presque Isle Bay:

ASIH Warning: This post contains mild images of a cute snake. Viewer discretion is advised.

After a gorgeous, spring-like Saturday, the Erie County, PA weather took an abrupt, if not unexpected, U-turn back to winter Sunday/Monday. Here, a Crow in snow in Millcreek Twp (“Gateway to Presque Isle”):

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Even with a ‘return to cold,’ no denying the recent signs of spring. Please enjoy a ‘mashup’ of sunny Eastern Bluebird x misc. nature:

Spectacular day yesterday (Saturday) at Presque Isle State Park with some exciting sightings along the Gull Point Trail. While waiting on photo editing, and just a few days ahead of spring, time to revisit earlier in the winter. (“Revisit” = finally going through whatever’s on this memory card.) These shots all 1st-2nd week January 2024.

Here’s an eclectic mix of American Crow (w/ impressionistic Crow-in-flight), Ring-billed Gull portraits, and Herring Gulls on and off rocks:

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After some nice weather in Erie County, PA mid-week this week, conditions turned cooler/rainy on Friday, with uncertain prospects for the weekend. (As of Saturday morning, looks chilly but partially sunny – ‘fingers crossed.’) No major ‘pre-spring’ bird sightings to mention, but definitely an uptick in Common Grackle, Killdeer, Turkey Vulture, etc., & ‘regular’ activity – American Robin, Red-winged Blackbird, European Starling, Mourning Dove, etc. – remains high. Plus plenty of Song Sparrow & Northern Cardinal (f), these mostly at Leo’s Landing:

On a recent rainy day in Millcreek Twp, PA (“Gateway to Presque Isle”), this Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger) was apparently taking advantage for some grooming/bathing: