Recent video of American Coot on Presque Isle Bay. Coots diving underwater = very coot.

Yes, not afraid to admit that “very coot” is a pun for ‘very cute.’

Unsettled weather in Erie recently, with wind and heavy rain overnight and into Wednesday morning. Heavy rain and bird photography don’t mix well, so catching up on earlier, recent activity out at Presque Isle State Park. Here, on Long Pond by boat landing #5 off the Long Pond Trail.

Tomorrow, part 2! In which there are many birds, and then not so many birds.

While waiting for the photo editor to process numerous recent duck photos, quick post of Fox Squirrel x White-breasted Nuthatch. Makes as much sense as anything else on this site.

Generally, lots of Ring-billed Gull at Presque Isle State Park and the greater Erie area. #2: probably Herring Gull. “Anything else in the gull category” is a good day. Here, a recent flock of lovely Bonaparte’s Gull (non-breeding plumage) on the back bay:

ID tip for non-breeding plumage: completely black bill; black ‘ear’/smudge to the rear of the eye; perhaps overall a bit smaller than Ring-billed Gull. (Note previous posts showing breeding plumage = totally or transitionally black head, i.e., mottled black, with white eye-lines.)

Beautiful, sunny Saturday at Presque Isle State Park, followed by an overcast, rainy Sunday.

In the “bird news” department, should mention multiple sightings of Tundra Swan – on the back bay (above) earlier last week, and on Long Pond (below) the last couple days.

---

Quite a bit of Black-capped Chickadee activity. Shots from the last couple days along the Pine Tree Trail and Long Pond Trail:

Recent shots of high-flying ducks (Hooded Merganser, + maybe Mallard) above Long Pond, Presque Isle State Park. Rule 40(a): “When all else fails, an acceptable substitute (for properly lit subjects) is backlighting/outline” (North American Association of Bird Photographers’ Handbook of Bird Photography, pg. 201; 2nd Ed. Knopf, 1997).

---

Cold, windy, and mostly cloudy on Friday. Not a lot of bird activity at Presque Isle, and not a nice day to be outside. As of Saturday morning, clear with a hard frost overnight. Looks like a good day for birding! #nature

Dateline: 24 November 2022

Thanksgiving day, decent weather out at Presque Isle State Park. Very little bird activity at Gull Point, but a nice day for a hike – beach trail in good shape, outer old trail icy in spots but overall ok. Out at the Point, one confirmed sighting – no pictures – of multiple Snow Bunting, flying from the north-side beach to south of the observation platform. Otherwise, nada.

Main excitement was back at Budny Beach. Pair of lovely Horned Grebe (non-breeding plumage):

Also at that same location, a pair of amazing Common Loon (non-breeding plumage):

Never know with Gull Point, but always something cool to see somewhere along the way.

Q: Why did the Wild Turkey cross the road? A: Yes, it really was to get to the other side.

---

Following shots, startled a turkey along the Long Pond Trail, which then flew across the water to the other side (!) Amazing to see the wing feathers during landing = gorgeous!

---

Looks like mostly clear weather today in the Erie area so far. No holidays for BirdingPI.com – all teams heading out at daybreak. Tomorrow, more duck!

Recent shots of lovely mixed ducks in the sun, Presque Isle State Park, mostly at Long Pond:

---

Warmer and mostly sunny the last few days in Erie – a reprieve from the early winter weather. Weather appears unsettled over the long weekend, but wishing everyone in the US a Happy Thanksgiving! (As usual, beef on the BirdingPI.com menu – sorry cow friends.)

Recent, snowy shots of Dark-eyed Junco and friends at Presque Isle State Park.