Dateline: 29 October 2022
Beautiful fall day Saturday at Presque Isle State Park. Cool, sunny, light/minimal wind. Bird activity relatively subdued: mostly Golden-crowned Kinglet, gulls, GBH, Canada Geese, & Black-capped Chickadee. Pictures to follow in the ‘weekend update.’
In the meantime, a special report from BirdingPI.com’s Bird Vocalization Department, from Saturday along the Dead Pond Trail. (Specifically, east of the B Trail junction before the woods transition to sand/pine/meadow.) Plus bonus foliage shots for environmental context.
Very little bird activity from the A Trail then east on the Dead Pond Trail – kinglet and Blue Jay. Suddenly, surprised to hear, rather than see (at least initially), a Cooper’s Hawk. Recorded calls, with Blue Jay (and other misc bird) in background:
It seemed to be moving about the woods; these calls recorded at different locations near the trail. Finally, a kerfuffle with a Blue Jay, and then the Cooper’s Hawk emerged to fly east through the trees. Moving too fast for photos, but a confirmed sighting based on overall appearance, coloration, and flared white coverlets.
Always great to see a Cooper’s Hawk, but rather special to hear one so clearly/distinctly. Lugging around the boom mic and reel-to-reel recorder pays off!
