PI Update

Dateline: 16 December 2021

Eastbound road closed at Beach No. 9

Although reopened past the turn for West Pier, Presque Isle State Park remained partially closed Thursday, with road closures eastbound (clockwise around the outer loop road) at Beach No. 9 (by the A-Trail) and westbound (counterclockwise) just after the second turn for the Coast Guard Station, by Thompson Circle. Crews were spotted actively working near the latter, on cleanup and/or the ongoing sewer/water pipe installation project. Generally, park visitors seemed confused with the closures, responding with erratic driving and speeding. Can’t be stymied on the loop drive!

Sidewalk Trail, flooded

Meanwhile, although road flooding conditions had subsided since Monday, all observed low-lying trails were under water. A brief survey confirmed poor conditions at the east end of the Sidewalk Trail, and similar conditions on both ends of the Long Pond Trail.

Casual bird sightings included Canadian Geese, Mallard, American Wigeon, Gulls, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, and Hairy Woodpecker.

Geese symmetry
Geese, Wigeon, and Mallards, Long Pond
Wigeon detail – note forehead stripe, bill color, and dark coloration around eye
Gull with dramatic sky
Hooded Mergansers (left and middle), Mallards or Black Ducks (right)
Hairy Woodpecker (m), by Thompson Bay
Herring Gull (?) in flight