Gull Point! Part Deux

As NW Pennsylvania transitions to “real winter,” New Year’s Eve day (2021) seems like a dream. Just a magical day at Presque Isle State Park and Gull Point in particular, the kind of day that makes one happy to be alive, in Erie, and “into” birding/the outdoors. No hyperbole.

The day started partially cloudy but “warm,” i.e., above freezing. Keeping an eye on the lighting, and realizing another opportunity to expand the “annual BirdingPI.com New Year’s if conditions permit Gull Point informal survey,” the team was dispatched to arrive at Budny Beach just before noon. A few folks were out for a walk or picnicking, but once headed east along the beach, Gull Point was empty of humans. At least initially. (No offense to humans, but it’s good for birding.) Temps in the 40’s (deg F), and then the sun came out, fully. Even if only for an hour – wow. Mild, sunny, bright! Just like Florida, less invasive pythons and over-sized lizards. (Zing.)

First up, the lake was calm as glass. Tundra Swans spotted far offshore. (See above.) Then ducks, here and there:

Very little other bird activity until arriving at Gull Point proper. Immediately, noticed what appeared to be a small raptor flying from the beach, south towards the back bay. Trying to keep an eye on it, noticed it quickly returned back towards the beach:

It soon alighted on a driftwood branch, at which point it was clear it was last week’s Peregrine Falcon, or at least a friend or relative. But with better lighting!

Slowly, the BirdingPI.com team “snuck” across the dunes and grass, hoping for closer observation. (Snuck in quotes because no one’s fooling a Peregrine Falcon. Still, you hope for the best.)

It seemed unconcerned about the human presence, so after getting within 20-25 feet (6-8 meters) or so, it was time to just stop and enjoy. Plus take a few pictures, of course. What a lovely, amazing bird.

[Editor’s note: not sure the blog post does these photos justice, so we’ll call it quits here and post additional falcon shots via a ‘special report’ on the main page. See “Falcon Crest.”]

After some hikers arrived, the falcon flew to another spot on the beach, then further along to another spot, then off back towards the interior. Conditions were clouding up slightly anyway, so time to slowly head back to Budny Beach, mission accomplished.