Focus/SOSA

Best reason for birding at Presque Isle State Park is the numerous nearby/”on the way” fast food restaurants: McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Burger King, Five Guys, KFC, Chick-fil-A, Sheetz, the list goes on and on.

Lake Melvin & Flag Park @ Fairview Business Park

At Fairview Business Park (conveniently in Fairview, Pennsylvania), the main option is foraging in the mud or on the grass for bugs/etc., as with this beautiful Solitary Sandpiper from the other monring/sunrise:

Also a great spot for Killdeer, who apparently love the grass + water/mud:

KIF at sunrise against tan-coloured building

Following are all Solitary Sandpiper unless otherwise noted. ID tips: drab yellow-green legs, bold white eye ring, brown back with extensive spotting.

European Starling @ landing on grass
KIF II
Killdeer on grass at sunrise
Killdeer on grass at sunrise II
KIF III
Yellow Warbler
Killdeer @ edge of parking lot
European Starling on light pole
KIF IV
On the road

Fun fact: Fairview Business Park is the old location of Commodore Downs horseracing track. Road around the lake = 3/4 mile. (Inside the road perimeter is Flag Park w/ available public parking + Lake Melvin.)


PSA: Presque Isle State Park is closed this Sunday, 7 September 2025, for vehicular traffic until 11:30AM for the Erie Marathon.