First snow of the season in Erie County, Pennsylvania last night – maybe 8 cm (3+ inches) in Millcreek Twp (“Since 1800”). These shots are from cloudy and cold conditions Saturday afternoon at Presque Isle State Park, along Long Pond, with the “surprise birds of the day” being a pair of beautiful Greater Yellowlegs:
Water level’s down generally, hence possible to walk along the muddy shore of Long Pond for quite a distance:
Luckily, these Yellowlegs vocalized loudly, otherwise wouldn’t have known they were around (hard to spot against the mottled/muddy shoreline). Also, best way (vocal ID w/ the Merlin app) to distinguish from Lesser Yellowlegs.
Otherwise, lots of nice, seasonal waterfowl activity, + sparrows, etc.:
ID on the falcon = when really cropped/zoomed, easy to see distinctive ‘sideburns:’
