Looks like Beach 10 and Beach 11 at Presque Isle State Park are closed for swimming for the season due to high water bacterial counts, from a seasonal average perspective. Bad for beachgoers, good for birders and wildlife.
These shots from Saturday along the Gull Point ‘beach trail,’ where the ‘beach bird’ of the day was beautiful Gray Plover a.ka. Black-bellied Plover:
Also lots and lots of Semipalmated Plover:
Both plover species, here’s a handy size comparison of Killdeer (right) vs. Semipalmated Plover (left):
Semipalmated Plover beach landing sequence:
Rest of this post, more Gray Plover x Semipalmated Plover:
[Editor’s note: in breeding plumage, American Golden Plover (the only other likely large plover seen in Erie County) would have a black cap and a fully black underside, e.g., black undertail coverts, plus shimmery light gold accents on the back, in proper lighting.]