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Erie Co. Bird Sightings
June 16 - June 29, 2008

There was an adult Laughing Gull at the Lake View Landfill on June 20. This is the first record of this species away from Presque Isle in Erie County. Caspian Terns were also noted along Lake Erie and in Waterford the past couple of weeks.

A pair of Sandhill Cranes successfully nested near Cambridge Springs in Crawford County again this year. A pair and one young was recently photographed there.

--Jerry McWilliams

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
June 9 - June 15, 2008

The only birds of note this week have been a White-eyed Vireo and a Yellow-breasted Chat at the east end of Pine Tree Trail at Presque Isle S.P. from June 10 to at least June 14.

Northern Mockingbirds have been noted in at least three sites in Erie County in the past week.

--Jerry McWilliams

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
May 26 - June 1, 2008

The only birds of note this week were observed on Presque Isle State Park.

White-rumped Sandpiper—1; May 26; Gull Point

Pine Siskin—2; May 26; Pine Tree Trail

Peregrine Falcon—1; June 1; Gull Point

--Jerry McWilliams

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
May 19 - May 25, 2008

The following unusual birds were reported for Monday, May 19 to Sunday, May 25, 2008 from Presque Isle State Park unless noted otherwise.

American Bittern—1; May 21; Sidewalk Trail

Least Bittern— 1; May 24 & 25; Leo’s; 1; May 24; Sidewalk Trail

Great Egret—1; May 23; Gull Point

Little Blue Heron-1; May 25; Gull Point

Black Vulture—1; May 21; Misery Bay

Franklin’s Gull—1 first summer; May 19; beach 11

Olive-sided Flycatcher—1 or 2; May 23 to 25; Pine Tree Trail & channel

Connecticut Warbler—1 heard; May 24; Pine Tree Trail

Summer Tanager—1 first spring male; May 17, 18, & 19; Greene Twp.; 1 female; May 24; near west end of Sidewalk Trail

Rusty Blackbird—1 male; May 25 (late); Pine Tree Trail

Pine Siskin—1; May 21; Pine Tree Trail

--Jerry McWilliams

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
May 12 - May 18, 2008

The following unusual birds were reported for Monday, May 12 to Sunday, May 18, 2008 from Presque Isle State Park unless noted otherwise.

Least Bittern—1; May 13; Niagara Pond

Great Egret— up to 3; to May 14; Gull Point

Black-crowned Night-Heron—2; May 15; Gull Point

Franklin’s Gull—1 first summer; May 16; Gull Point

Prairie Warbler—1; May 13; Fry’s landing

Fox Sparrow—1; May 15 (late); Edinboro

--Jerry McWilliams

Franklin's Gull at Presque Isle
May 16, 2008

This morning about 9:30 I observed and photographed a Franklin's Gull at Gull Point. It was a bird in molt from first winter to first summer. Fresh inner primaries and worn secondaries and outer primaries.

The last record of a Franklin's Gull in Erie County was on June 14, 2005 when an adult was observed at Gull Point.

--Jerry McWilliams

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
May 4 - May 11, 2008

The following unusual birds were reported for Sunday, May 4 to Sunday, May 11, 2008 from Presque Isle State Park unless noted otherwise.

American Bittern—1; May 10; Niagara Pond (pumping)

Least Bittern—1; May 10; Long Pond

Great Egret— up to 8; through the week; Gull Point

Olive-sided Flycatcher—1; May 7, 2008; Sidewalk Trail

Lawrence’s Warbler—1; May 11; Fry’s landing

Worm-eating Warbler—1; May 9; Fry’s landing

Western Tanager—1 male; May 4 & 5; Waterford

A combined total of about 131 species of birds were reported by over 150 "Festival of the Birds" participants for May 9, 10, & 11 on Presque Isle State Park.

--Jerry McWilliams

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
April 28 - May 4, 2008

The following unusual birds were reported for Monday, April 28 to Sunday, May 4, 2008 unless noted otherwise.

Great Egret—up to 2; April 28 to May 3; Gull Point

American Bittern—1; May 3; Sidewalk Trail

Black-crowned Night-Heron—1; May 2; Waterworks ponds

Peregrine Falcon—1; May 2; Gull Point

Western Tanager—1 male; May 4; Waterford

Clay-colored Sparrow—1; May 3; Leo’s landing

Yellow-headed Blackbird—1 female; May 3; Sidewalk Trail

--Jerry McWilliams

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
April 21 - April 27, 2008

The following unusual birds were reported for Monday, April 21 to Sunday, April 27, 2008 from Presque Isle State Park unless noted otherwise.

American Bittern—1; April 22; Niagara Pond

Black-crowned Night-Heron—1 heard; April 26; Fry's landing

Sandhill Crane—1; April 26; Tom Ridge Environmental Center

Glaucous Gull—1 second cycle; April 23; Gull Point

"Gambel's" White-crowned Sparrow--1; April 26; Lawrence boat launch

Twelve species of warblers have been reported to date on Presque Isle State Park.

--Jerry McWilliams

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
April 14 - April 20, 2008

The following unusual birds were reported for Monday, April 14 to Sunday, April 20, 2008 from Presque Isle State Park

Great Egret--1; April 20; Thompson Circle

Black-crowned Night-Heron—4; April 19; Thompson Bay

Peregrine Falcon—1; April 19; Tom Ridge Environmental Center

Sandhill Crane—3; April 15; Ridge Trail; 1 heard; April 17; over Beach 11

Long-eared Owl—1; April 18; pines

Northern Saw-whet Owl—1; April 14; Fry's landing

--Jerry McWilliams

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
April 7 - April 13, 2008

The following unusual birds were reported for Monday, April 7 to Sunday, April 13, 2008 from Presque Isle State Park unless noted otherwise.

American Bittern—2; April 12; Niagara Pond

Great Egret—6; April 11; Duck Pond

Peregrine Falcon—1; April 7; Presque Isle hawk watch at TREC

Little Gull—1 adult; to at least April 11; marina

Glaucous Gull—1 imm.; April 7; off the East Pier

Short-eared Owl—1 or 2; April 8; Presque Isle hawk watch at TREC and Gull Point; 1; April 12; Niagara Pond

Northern Saw-whet Owl—1; April 12; pines on Presque Isle; 1; April 13; B-trail; pines on Presque Isle

Indigo Bunting—1 male; April 9(early); Presque Isle hawk watch at TREC

Common Redpoll--a few birds were last reported from Union City this week.

Pine Warblers and Blue-headed Vireo were reported this weekend on Presque Isle

--Jerry McWilliams

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
March 31 - April 6, 2008

The following unusual birds were reported for Monday, March 31 to Sunday, April 6, 2008 from Presque Isle S.P. unless noted otherwise.

Eurasian Wigeon—2 males; to April 3; Misery Bay

Common Goldeneye X Hooded Merganser—1 male; April 2; off east pier

Barrow’s Goldeneye—1; April 1; in Presque Isle Bay off the marina

Little Gull—1 adult; through the week; east pier

Short-eared Owl—1; April 3; Tom Ridge Environmental Center

--Jerry McWilliams

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
March 24 - March 30, 2008

The following unusual birds were reported for Monday, March 24 to Sunday March 30, 2008 from Presque Isle S.P. unless noted otherwise.

Eurasian Wigeon—1 male; March 24 to 28 with 2 males present on March 29 & 30; Misery Bay

White-winged Scoter—1; March 24; beach 11

Red-throated Loon—1; March 24-26; off the East pier

Great Egret—1; March 30; Perry Monument

Black-crowned Night-Heron— 3; March 29; Leo's

Iceland Gull—1 first cycle; March 26; off West Fisher Drive

Glaucous Gull—1 first cycle; to March 26; Presque Isle Bay; 1 adult; to March 26; channel

Common Redpolls are still being seen mostly at feeders throughout the county with as many as 100 at a feeding station in McKean.

Most of the ice is off Presque Isle Bay and the inland ponds, but the lake still has a significant amount of ice-cover.

--Jerry McWilliams

Presque Isle Bay Nearly Ice-free
March 26, 2008

The Eurasian Wigeon was still present in Misery Bay this morning in with about 1500 ducks including 300+ American Wigeon.

There was also a first cycle Iceland Gull and a first cycle and an adult Glaucous Gull in Presque Isle Bay off the west pier on Fisher Drive. The Red-throated Loon was still present as well and it was viewed from Niagara boat launch.

Presque Isle Bay is now nearly ice-free hosting over 35,000 ducks including mostly scaup and Red-breasted Merganser.

--Jerry McWilliams

Eurasian Wigeon at Presque Isle
March 24, 2008

This morning there was a male Eurasian Wigeon among the many American Wigeon in Misery Bay. There was also a Red-throated Loon in Presque Isle Bay off the east pier. This species is very rare in spring in Erie County and almost never seen in the bay. A distant immature Glaucous Gull was circling over Presque Isle Bay off Niagara boat launch as well.

Sandhill Cranes were seen over Waterford, the Tom Ridge Environmental Center, and Ridge Trail on Presque Isle this past weekend

--Jerry McWilliams

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
March 18 - March 23, 2008

The following unusual birds were reported for Tuesday, March 18 to Sunday, March 23, 2008 from Presque Isle S. P. unless noted otherwise.

Black-crowned Night-Heron—1 adult; March 22; Old Gas Well Trail

Iceland Gull—1 imm.; March 20; Leo’s

Glaucous Gull—1 first cycle; March 18; Presque Isle Bay; 1 adult; March 21 & 22; channel and Leo's, resp.

Common Redpoll— small flocks; through the week; at feeding stations in Union City & Edinboro

Hoary Redpoll—1 male; March 18; at a feeding station in Edinboro

Several Long-tailed Ducks have been present in Presque Isle Bay the past couple of days among the thousands of ducks between the foot of State Street and Perry Monument. Misery Bay has hosted a nice mix of puddle ducks including Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, and many American Wigeon.

--Jerry McWilliams

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
March 10 - March 17, 2008

The following unusual birds were reported for Monday, March 10 to Monday, March 17, 2008 from Presque Isle State Park unless noted otherwise.

Merlin—1; March 15; Erie

Lesser Black-backed Gull—1 second cycle; March 12; Leo’s

Glaucous Gull—1 first cycle; March 11 & 17; channel & Perry Monument

Nearly all of Presque Isle Bay is covered with ice. There are even ice fishermen still on the bay! Hundreds of ducks are packed in pockets of open water at the channel, off Perry Monument, the mouth of Graveyard Pond, and Leo's. As of this morning (March 17), there is still from four to eight inches of snow on the ground with limited parking at the trail heads.

--Jerry McWilliams

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
February 25 - March 2, 2008

The only bird of note this week was a Peregrine Falcon eating prey on the ice at Horseshoe Pond on Presque Isle this morning.

Common Redpolls continue to be reported at feeding stations in southern Erie County.

--Jerry McWilliams

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
February 11 - February 17, 2008

The following unusual birds were reported from Monday, February 11 to Sunday, February 17, 2008 in Erie County, mainly away from Presque Isle S.P.

Turkey Vulture—1; Feb. 13 (early); over Harborcreek Wal-mart

Merlin—1; Feb. 13; over Tom Ridge Environmental Center

Iceland Gull—1 first cycle; Feb. 11; off Niagara boat launch

Glaucous Gull—1 first or second cycle; Feb. 12; Lake View Landfill

Short-eared Owl—1; Feb. 14; Greene Twp.

Northern Shrike—1; Feb. 14; Franklin Center

Pine Siskin—1; Feb. 16; Erie

--Jerry McWilliams

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
February 4 - February 10, 2008

The following unusual birds were reported for Sunday, February 4 to Sunday, February 10, 2008 from Presque Isle S.P. and Edinboro.

Lesser Black-backed Gull--1 adult; Feb. 6; off Leo's

Gray Catbird--1; Feb. 4; Leo's

Hoary Redpoll--1; Feb. 4; Edinboro

Common Redpolls are still being reported throughout the county at feeding stations, with highs of 100 or more, but most feeders are hosting only a few redpolls.

--Jerry McWilliams

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
January 28 - February 3, 2008

The only bird of note this week was a second cycle Glaucous Gull in Presque Isle Bay off Niagara boat launch being stocked by a Coyote. Needless to say, the gull flew off before the Coyote reached it. There was also a Northern Pintail and a Surf Scoter in the channel this past week.

--Jerry McWilliams

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
January 14 - January 20, 2008

There were few unusual bird reports this week in Erie County.

Glaucous Gull--2 first or second cycle; Jan. 16; Lake View Landfill

Fox Sparrow--1; Jan. 20; Girard

White-crowned Sparrow--1; Jan 20; Fairview

Single White-winged Scoters continue to be seen off beach 11, the channel, and in Presque Isle Bay. Common Redpolls continue to be reported from feeders with feeders hosting from 50 to 100 or more birds. There has even been some pale birds reported among the flocks that may be Hoary's.

--Jerry McWilliams

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
January 7 - January 13, 2008

There were only two notable sightings this week.

Iceland Gull--1 first cycle; Jan. 12; Lake View Landfill

Lapland Longspur--1; Jan. 7; Gull Point

White-winged Scoters and Long-tailed Ducks continue to be seen flying past Sunset Point and single Rough-legged hawks continue to be seen in the county with one light morph sitting on the beach at the east end of Gull Point on Jan. 7. A few redpolls are still being reported from feeding stations, but none have been reported from Presque Isle State Park recently.

--Jerry McWilliams

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
December 17 - December 23, 2007

The following unusual birds were reported for Monday, December 17 to Sunday, December 23 from Presque Isle State Park unless noted otherwise.

Red-necked Grebe—1; Dec. 17; Sunset Point (Waterbird count)

Peregrine Falcon—1; Dec. 19; Misery Bay

Glaucous Gull—at least 2 first cycle; to Dec. 22; Gull Point & Misery Bay

Northern Shrike—1; Dec. 20; SGL 314 (Roderick)

Bohemian Waxwing—1; Dec. 18; near second parking lot

Common Redpoll—small groups reported from various sites on Presque Isle and at feeders throughout the county

Pine Siskin—2; Dec. 22; Erie

--Jerry McWilliams

Erie Christmas Bird Count
December 15, 2007

With cloudy skies, no precipitation and temperatures ranging from 23 to 31 degrees F, twenty-eight participants counted a near record 82 species for the Christmas Bird Count on December 15. Notable birds that were found included the Rough-legged Hawk, Killdeer (late), Ruddy Turnstone, Purple Sandpiper, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Glaucous Gull, Ruby-crowned Kinglet (late), Northern Mockingbird, and Common Redpoll. See PIAS homepage for the complete results in PDF format.

--Chuck Gehringer, Compiler

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
December 10 - December 16, 2007

The following unusual birds were reported for Monday December 10 to Sunday December 16, 2007 from Presque Isle State Park, unless noted otherwise.

Ruddy Turnstone—1; Dec. 15 (late); Gull Point

Purple Sandpiper—1; Dec. 14 to 16; Gull Point and lighthouse

Iceland Gull—1; Dec. 13; foot of East Ave.

Lesser Black-backed Gull—1; Dec. 15; Gull Point

Glaucous Gull—1; Dec. 15; Gull Point

Northern Mockingbird--1; Dec. 15; McKean Twp.

Common Redpoll—20+; Dec. 15; many sites on Presque Isle

--Jerry McWilliams

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
November 26 - December 2, 2007

The following unusual birds were reported for Monday, November 26 to Sunday, December 2, 2007 from Presque Isle State Park unless noted otherwise.

Snow Goose--2 (white) Nov. 26; Edinboro Lake

Little Gull--1 adult; Nov. 29; Sunset Point (Waterbird count)

Red-necked Grebe--2; Dec. 2; Sunset Point (Waterbird count)

--Jerry McWilliams

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
November 19 - November 25, 2007

The following unusual birds were reported for Monday, November 19 to Sunday, November 25, 2007 from Presque Isle State Park.

Snow Goose—2 (white); Nov. 21; Sunset Point (waterbird count, WC)

Eared Grebe—1; Nov. 20; in P.I. Bay west of rangers station

Long-eared Owl—1; Nov. 24; pines

Eastern Phoebe—1; Nov. 23 (late); north pier

Common Redpoll—100+-; Nov. 20 to 21; beach 11 parking lot; 24; Nov. 24; Sunset Point (WC); 60 to 70; Nov. 25; Fry's landing

--Jerry McWilliams

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
November 12 - November 18, 2007

The following unusual birds were recorded from Erie County for Monday, November 12 to Sunday, November 18, 2007.

Red-necked Grebe—1; Nov. 17.; Sunset Point (Waterbird count), Presque Isle

Little Gull—1 basic def.; Nov. 17; in bay off of Big Pond, Presque Isle

Northern Shrike--1; Nov. 12; Greenfield Twp.

--Jerry McWilliams

Waterbird Count
November 17, 2007

Location: Sunset Point at Presque Isle State Park
Time: 7:10 AM to 9:40 AM
Weather: Cloudy, light winds, waves two feet falling to less than a foot, temp. 33 to 38F.

Comments: Heavy movement again this morning for the first 45 minutes and after 9:00 AM there was very little movement. There were far fewer Red-breasted Mergansers and scaup this morning than yesterday. There were fewer loons as well, but Horned Grebe numbers increased substantially from yesterday. Highlight this morning was a Red-necked Grebe flying east. Most birds were moving west, except loons which were flying in all directions.

Waterbirds recorded: Canada Goose—7, American Black Duck—6, Mallard—29, Redhead—26, Ring-necked Duck—1, Greater Scaup—65, Lesser Scaup—644, Unidentified scaup—1941, White-winged Scoter—8, Black Scoter—1, Surf/Black Scoter—5, Long-tailed Duck—2, Bufflehead—44, Common Goldeneye—22, Hooded Merganser—9, Red-breasted Merganser—557, Red-throated Loon—23, Common Loon—80, Unidentified loon—27, Horned Grebe—214, Red-necked Grebe—1

There was an adult Little Gull in Presque Isle Bay just west of Perry Monument flying close to shore with about 200 or more Bonaparte's gulls.

Also, yesterday's storm brought in many dead Common Loons (most likely Avian Botulism). At least 15 dead birds can be seen scattered along the beach from the handicap ramp. Judging from that number at that one site, I suspect there are well over 100 dead birds scattered along the length of the outer beaches of Presque Isle S.P.

--Jerry McWilliams

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
October 8 - October 14, 2007

The following unusual birds were reported for Monday, October 8 to Sunday, October 14, 2007 from Presque Isle State Park.

Brant—4; Oct. 12; Sunset Point (WC)

Spotted Sandpiper—1; Oct. 14 (late); Sunset Point (WC)

Peregrine Falcon—1 or 2; Oct. 9; Sunset Point (WC) and Roderick Wildlife Reserve 2; Oct. 14; Sunset Point (WC)

--Jerry McWilliams

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
August 27 - September 2, 2007

The following unusual birds were reported from Presque Isle State Park for Monday, August 27 to Sunday, September 2, 2007. There was a good movement of shorebirds at Gull Point on Presque Isle with 18 species reported. The most unusual are listed below.

American Avocet—4; Aug. 24; Gull Point; 2; Aug. 25; Gull Point

Willet—1; Aug. 24; Gull point

Whimbrel—1; Aug. 25; Gull Point

Western Sandpiper—1; Aug. 25; Gull Point

Stilt Sandpiper—1; Aug. 25: Gull Point

Buff-breasted Sandpiper—1; Aug. 25; Gull Point

Black Tern—9; Aug. 25; Gull Point

A leucistic hummingbird was reported from Millcreek Township on September 1 and 2

--Jerry McWilliams