Always nice to see ducks “up close,” but the reality is frequently different: distant ducks. In today’s post, it’s waterfowl seen from afar, + somewhat closer views of Canada Goose in flight, all on Sunday at the head of Presque Isle Bay.
Finally, a sequence of Northern Pintails landing on Presque Isle Bay:
Northern Pintail activity is currently very nice at Presque Isle State Park. Always a beautiful duck to see.
Today on BirdingPI.com, a quick post of seasonal birds recently seen at South Pier (Erie, Pennsylvania), featuring beautiful, sunny Redhead ducks:
Going back to February, after the long cold spell had taken its toll on the waterfowl population. For example, 6-7 duck and goose carcasses were spotted on the ice at South Pier (Erie, Pennsylvania) at one point. This is an American Herring Gull eating a deceased male Red-Breasted Merganser:
With these shots of Mourning Dove from yesterday, we’d normally say “spring is in the air,” but considering this Sunday morning it’s -6 deg C in Erie County, Pennsylvania with fresh snow on the ground, it’s looking like something else is in the air. Like more winter suffering.
More from South Pier, featuring beautiful late afternoon sunshine, plus a couple “bonus grebes” same location/different day:
Finally, in this shot, the line at what appears to the be horizon is actually where the ice sheet ends on the frozen-over portion of Presque Isle Bay:
Looks like the Erie County, Pennsylvania weather might be decent today and tomorrow – above freezing temps at least – with slight snow and colder temperatures expected Saturday night into Sunday. Happy birding! Today’s post features a bird species observant folks might expect to see this weekend, 2x beautiful Red-tailed Hawk:
Just a quick photo essay today on recent sightings of beautiful House Finch and Dark-eyed Junco in Millcreek Twp, Pennsylvania (“Since 1800”):
From Sunday at Presque Isle State Park under lightly snowy conditions, it’s (mostly) more Mute Swans, specifically a lovely duo at the head of Presque Isle Bay:
As the famous line goes (sort of), at Presque Isle the Mute Swan count goes to 11!
After no sightings since last year, so nice to have amazing Hooded Merganser back in Erie County, Pennsylvania. These shots from Saturday at Graveyard Pond by the Lagoons boat launch.
Finally, a nice sequence of the Hooded Mergansers startling and taking flight to relocate further down the pond:
More winter weather this morning in Erie County, Pennsylvania – cold, windy, and snowy. Continuing “big bird news” over the weekend was 11 Mute Swans at Presque Isle State Park, a record high count. (To see the swans, go to Vista 1 and look for the big, white birds. Some of which may be Tundra Swans.) More swan pics coming up, but in the meantime, here’s more recent DIF from South Pier.
