The variable weather continues in Erie County, Pennsylvania. Cloudy/gloomy over the weekend, mild and eventually sunny Christmas day, cloudy/gloomy but unseasonably mild (13 deg C) Tuesday, & on-and-off light-to-heavy rain Wednesday. Above and below: Walnut Creek @ Asbury Woods, in full-flow mode.
And with the bad/gloomy weather, time to catch up on more recent “strange” (as in uncommon) birds at Presque Isle State Park. These long-distance shots are somewhat unsatisfying, so posted less for ‘art’ and more for informational/archive purposes.
First up, finally saw the Purple Sandpiper recently seen at Gull Point and the outer beaches and reported on eBird. This was on the breakwater off Budny Beach/Sunset Point. Dunlin-sized (medium), yellow-orange legs, droopy bill that’s yellow at the base and dark at the tip, & solid-ish upper chest transitioning to streaks to white belly.
On left, with Red-breasted Merganser on right:
Next up, an amazing Northern Shrike on Big Pond:
Overall gray (head, chest, back), + black wings & tail, + characteristic black mask. Distinguished from Loggerhead Shrike due to location/season + mask is less extensive. … Below, in a tree (towards top) with Bald Eagle:
Finally, at a very long distance on Lake Erie off Gull Point, an Eared Grebe (non-breeding plumage). Red eye, thin/straight/pointy bill, peaked forehead, + black cap that extends down below eye level for a “smudgy cheek.” Relative to Horned Grebe, lacks white-tipped bill and ‘clean line’ look on head.
Coming up next time, an exciting BirdingPI.com content update! Plus bird pics.