Dateline: 10-11 September 2022
Greater Erie, PA weather. Saturday: mostly sunny, moderate temps (warmer in the afternoon), humid. Sunday: overcast with rain tapering off by mid-afternoon; moderate temps, humid.
With “Beast on the Bay” Saturday and the Erie marathon Sunday morning, BirdingPI.com team consensus was to avoid the congestion – trip to Erie National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday (report to follow), and Presque Isle State Park later Sunday after the rain. (Would have run the marathon, but too difficult carrying a giant camera…)
Sunday afternoon, with overcast and periodic light sprinkles, surveyed the Pine Tree Trail/Budny Beach/Pine Tree Meadows loop. First up, Fox Squirrel w/ snack, + cute video:
Second-guessing going out in poor weather conditions? Second guess no longer. Amazing sighting of the amazing Ovenbird, along the Pine Tree Trail. Official BirdingPI.com Birding Rule Book, “Rule 37: Any outing with a confirmed sighting of Ovenbird is an unqualified success, absent major bodily injury.” Spotted Ovenbird several times in the spring, but only briefly. Here, perched on a branch with obvious/raised crest and well-delineated markings = non-ironic wow!
Tomorrow, elsewhere in Pennsylvania, featuring honey bees!
I have never seen a squirrel eating a pinecone with such energy! What a great video!
And the Ovenbird picture with it staring at the camera ranks up there in top humorous bird pictures!
It was good to have a reminder of Rule #37. #32 should always be put into play, too!