Back to Gull Point + bad weather this past Saturday @ Presque Isle State Park.
Lots of Yellow-rumped and Palm Warbler + sparrow + blackbird activity along the ‘outer old trail:’
Two shots of beautiful Red-tailed Hawk:
On the walk back to where the Gull Point Trail meets up with Lake Erie east of Budny Beach (see above), surprised to see an unusual duck navigating the significant surf – dark breast, white underside, long tail, small bill with orange-and-black tip, it could only be a Long-tailed Duck! (A BirdingPI.com first sighting ever!) Atypical colouration, so probably a male with transitioning plumage. ID note: lacks the irregular/bumpy bill of a Surf Scoter.
Coming up soon, Prairie Warbler (!), and GBH w/ snack! Also, the world’s second loveliest bird.
Long tailed duck was fabulous! Love the head-on shot! Always fun to see how the birds study humans!