With Presque Isle State Park mostly closed Sunday, it was time to dust off the BirdingPI.com “to do” list. First up, checking in on State Game Lands 314 aka the David M. Roderick Wildlife Reserve.
No. 314’s located in the very northwestern-most corner of Pennsylvania bordering Lake Erie and Ohio. Vast, flat forest and scrub land; accessible by dirt road only. Rather bleak (and waterlogged) this time of year, but fascinating habitat. Bonus points: lake views from the bluff.
Expectations were low for bird activity, but confirmed sightings included Kinglet, various Gulls, Crows, and the ‘bird of the weekend,’ a pair of mature Bald Eagles. Eagles are great.
Eagles in a tree = birding gold. These were perched at the edge of the bluff, near the parking area by “The Rock.” Noticed them first from the road, quickly parked and got in a few shots. As with other local Bald Eagles, skittish, though, with a quick departure. On the flip side, Eagles in flight over Lake Erie = more birding gold.
On the way back to Erie, it was time for a brief survey of lower Elk Creek, by the west bank fishing access (Erie Bluffs State Park). Extremely overgrown and muddy conditions. Sightings included Mourning Doves, Dark-eyed Junco, a female Common Merganser (note the white chest and white chin) on the creek itself, and various human fly fisherfolk.
