Weekend Update

Dateline: Mother’s Day weekend 2022

Time to get started on a rather wide-ranging post. First up, the weather. Without crappy weather to complain about, you feel kind of lost as an Erie-area resident. On the plus side, nice weather. Sunny/hazy sunshine, cool temps (highs 50-70 deg F), windy in the open areas. Nice hiking/birding weather.

Secondly, the forest is in bloom and slowly starting to green in – extremely lovely right now. Things are still rather open and sunny, so it’s an optimal time for both enjoying the forest and seeing high canopy birds.

Thirdly, besides the “usual suspects,” seems to be more migration activity that usual this year, at least relative to last year. Never seen so many warblers in such close proximity (temporal and geographically). Last year, confirmed sightings of one Black-and-white Warbler and one Bay-breasted Warbler. This year, multiple sightings of both in different locations. Not to mention “first evers” like Chestnut-sided Warbler.

But before reporting on ‘exotic warbler madness,’ time to cover ‘everything else’ from the weekend. First up, Gray Catbird! As the old SnL skit goes, “Hear me now and understand me later:” the Catbird population has skyrocketed over the last couple weeks. Catbirds are everywhere. Which is great because they’re one of BirdingPI.com’s favorites – lovely and very vocal!

Next up, more warbler! From the Yellow/Yellow-rumped/Palm trifecta:

This epitomizes the Dead Pond Trail this time of year – trees in bloom and Yellow-rumped Warbler:

Also tons of Palm Warbler, pretty much everywhere:

Such a nice shot of Yellow-rumped Warbler:

More trees in bloom along the Dead Pond Trail:

The Yellow Warbler population has also skyrocketed. Time to sing in joy, apparently:

Regular sightings of both White-breasted Nuthatch and Red-breasted Nuthatch. Here’s a couple nice shots of the latter from the junction of the A-Trail and the Dead Pond Trail:

Still plenty of kinglet activity everywhere. Probably Ruby-crowned Kinglet:

More beautiful Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, off the Dead Pond Trail and Thompson Circle, respectively:

First Eastern Kingbird of the season spotted both at Presque Isle and in Millcreek Twp (“Gateway to Presque Isle”). Here’s one in flight off Thompson Bay:

Wild Turkeys spotted almost every day at Presque Isle, especially foraging along the road. These were off the Dead Pond Trail:

Here’s a confirmed sighting of Wood Thrush. Note the spectacle, barred black/gray/white cheek, bold spots, and russet crown and nape:

Do we need more juvenile Bald Eagle in-flight pics? Answer: yes.

Finally found some Tree Swallows sitting still, here, off the Long Pond Trail west end:

Next up, a female Eastern Towhee. This was in the shrubbery by the Pine Tree Beach picnic area. Not the best shot, but fun to see. (Note brown head coloration vs. black on the male.)

Seen hints of wren regularly, but they’ve been elusive in terms of ID and bird photography. Finally got a shot (probably House Wren) here, by Pine Tree Beach:

So much going on in this post, can’t help but break into song!

Stay tuned for Scarlet Tanager!

[Editor’s note: based on our funding agreement with the Gray Catbird! Foundation of Eastern Ohio, we are contractually obligated to refer to the full name of said species as “Gray Catbird!” In case you were wondering.]

[Editor’s note: sparrow above is Song Sparrow.]

Epilog – Trail Update: Most trails locally muddy but generally in good shape. West end of Long Pond Trail still very muddy. Marsh Trail still very muddy and partially flooded; not recommended w/o waterproof footwear. East end of Sidewalk Trail still quite muddy, but passable.