2013 Erie County Bird Sightings

December 23 - December 29, 2013
The following birds of note were reported this week from Erie Co., Pa.

• All three scoters were reported this week from the eastern end of Presque Isle S.P.
• At least four Rough-legged Hawks, both light and dark, have been reported at various sites in Erie County the past two weeks.
• Snowy Owl   At least 5; through the week mostly from Gull Point, Presque Isle S.P.
•  2; Erie International Airport; through the week;
• Northern Shrike  1; Dec. 23; Gull Point, Presque Isle S.P.
• Gray Catbird  1; Dec. 28; Gull Point Trail, Presque Isle S.P.

December 16 - December 22, 2013
The following birds of note were reported  from Erie County, Pa. this past week:

• Harlequin Duck  1 female; to at least Dec. 20; Sunset Point (waterbird count)
• Sandhill Crane  2 heard calling flying over Waterford on Dec. 16.  They were detected with a parabolic dish.
• Snowy Owls have been observed daily at Presque Isle S.P. with a one day high of at least 14 birds on Dec. 19.  To date, this brings the Erie County total to a conservative total of 40 Snwy Owls, since the first one was found on Nov. 23.  Only eight of that total were found at various sites away from Presque Isle S.P.
• Rufous Hummingbird  1 female; last seen on Dec. 16; Edinboro
• Northern Shrike  1; Dec. 16; Waterford

December 9 - December 15, 2013
The following Erie County birds of note were reported from Presque Isle S.P. unless noted otherwise.

• Iceland Gull  1 imm; Dec. 11; Presque Isle Downs and Casino parking lot.
  
• Glaucous Gull  1 imm; Dec. 14; Sunset Point (waterbird count)
• Snowy Owl reports continue to come in with a site from Corry added to the list of new locations.  Perhaps as many as 23 different Snowy Owls have been found since the beginning of December.  Yesterday (Dec. 14) on the CBC there was only one very dark individual at Gull Point, and a much whiter bird flew past Beach 11 a little later in the morning. 
• The adult female Rufous Hummingbird continues to come to a feeder in Edinboro.
• Lapland Longspur  1; Dec. 12; Walnut Creek Access area, Fairview Twp. (waterbird count)

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
December 2 - December 8, 2013
The following Erie County birds of note were reported from Presque Isle S.P. unless noted otherwise.

• Harlequin Duck  1 female; Dec. 4 & 5; Gull Point and Sunset Point waterbird count resp.
• Long-tailed Duck  1125 (high count); Dec. 6; Sunset Point waterbird count
• Lesser Black-backed Gull  1 adult; Dec. 8; Presque Isle Downs & Casino parking lot
• Parasitic Jaeger  1 imm.; Dec. 2; Gull Point
• Snowy Owl  (probably more than 15 individuals just this past week); mostly from the outer beaches of Presque Isle S.P. (two birds at one time) and Gull Point (8 to 10 birds at one time on Dec. 7), but also in Wattsburg (1 bird), the Erie International Airport (1 bird), and downtown Erie (1 bird).
• Short-eared Owl  1; Dec. 2; Gull Point
• Rufous Hummingbird  1 adult female; continues at a feeder in Edinboro
• Northern Shrike  1; Dec. 2; Thompson Circle
• Common Raven  1; Dec. 8; Union City

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
November 25 - December 1, 2013
The following birds of note were reported this week in Erie County.

• Red-necked Grebe 1; Nov. 26; Sunset Point 1; Nov. 27; Gull Point 2; Nov. 30; Sunset Point
• Black-legged Kittiwake 1 first cycle; Nov. 27; foot of east Ave., Erie
• Lesser Black-backed Gull 1 adult; Nov. 27; Presque Isle Downs parking lot
• Snowy Owl at least 3; through the week; mainly on Gull Point, but also near the Walnut Creek Access area and on the breakwaters along the outer beaches of Presque Isle S.P.
• Barred Owls are not that unusual in the county, but it is quite rare on Presque Isle S.P. One was reported from the pines several weeks ago and another was seen on Dec. 1 near Thompson Circle.
• Short-eared Owl 1; Nov. 30; Gull Point
• Rufous Hummingbird 1 adult female; continues at the Edinboro feeder
• White-eyed Vireo 1; Nov. 24; Gull Point Trail
• Lapland Longspur 3; Nov. 27; Sunset Point 1; Dec. 1; Gull Point

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
November 25 - December 1, 2013

The following birds of note were reported this week in Erie County.

• Red-necked Grebe 1; Nov. 26; Sunset Point 1; Nov. 27; Gull Point 2; Nov. 30; Sunset Point
• Black-legged Kittiwake 1 first cycle; Nov. 27; foot of east Ave., Erie
• Lesser Black-backed Gull 1 adult; Nov. 27; Presque Isle Downs parking lot
• Snowy Owl at least 3; through the week; mainly on Gull Point, but also near the Walnut Creek Access area and on the breakwaters along the outer beaches of Presque Isle S.P.
• Barred Owls are not that unusual in the county, but it is quite rare on Presque Isle S.P. One was reported from the pines several weeks ago and another was seen on Dec. 1 near Thompson Circle.
• Short-eared Owl 1; Nov. 30; Gull Point
• Rufous Hummingbird 1 adult female; continues at the Edinboro feeder
• White-eyed Vireo 1; Nov. 24; Gull Point Trail
• Lapland Longspur 3; Nov. 27; Sunset Point 1; Dec. 1; Gull Point

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
November 18 - November 24, 2013

The following birds of note were reported this past week mainly from Presque Isle S.P

• Red-necked Grebe 3; Nov. 19; Sunset Point (waterbird count, WC), 1; Nov. 20; Sunset Point (WC)
• Purple Sandpiper 1; Nov. 21; Sunset Point (WC)
• Black-legged Kittiwake 1 imm.; Nov. 19; Sunset Point (WC), 1 imm.; Nov. 22; Sunset Point (WC)
• Parasitic Jaeger 1 imm.; Nov. 19; Sunset Point (WC)
• Pomarine/Parasitic jaeger 2 imm.; Nov. 19; Sunset Point (WC)
• Snowy Owl 1; Nov. 23 & 24; Gull Point
• Rufous Hummingbird 1 adult female; continued all week in Edinboro
• Lapland Longspur 1; Nov. 21; Sunset Point (WC)
  

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
November 11 - November 17, 2013

The following birds of note were reported this past week mainly from Presque Isle S.P

• Red-necked Grebe 1; Nov. 11; Sunset Point
• Hudsonian Godwit 1; Nov. 12; Gull Point
• Long-billed Dowitcher 2; Nov. 12; Gull Point
• Parasitic Jaeger 1; Nov. 11; Sunset Point
• Short-eared Owl 1 or 2; Nov. 14, 16, & 17; Gull Point
• Rufous Hummingbird 1 adult female; continues this past week in Edinboro.
  

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
November 4 - November 10, 2013

The following birds of note were reported this week from Presque Isle S.P.

• Red-necked Grebe 4; Nov. 7; Sunset Point (WC) 2; Nov. 10; off Beach 11
• Black-legged Kitiwake 1; Nov. 7; Sunset Point (waterbird count)
• Little Gull 1; Nov. 7; Sunset Point (WC)
• Purple Sandpiper 1; Nov. 10; Sunset Point (WC)
• Short-eared Owl 1; Nov. 7 & 8; Gull Point
• Long-tailed Ducks and all three species of scoters are seen almost daily at the Sunset Point waterbird count, and small groups of scoters have been fairly regular off Beach 11 as well. At least a few Snow Buntings are seen daily flying up and down the beaches.

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
October 28 - November 3, 2013

The following birds of note were reported in Erie County this past week.

• Brant 1; Nov. 3; Sunset Point
• Red-necked Grebe 1; Oct. 28; Sunset Point 1; Oct. 31; Sunset Point 1; Nov. 3; Sunset Point
• Red Phalarope 1; Oct. 28; Sunset Point
• Little Gull 1; Oct. 28; Sunset Point
• Parasitic Jaeger 2; Oct. 28; Sunset Point
• Short-eared Owl 2; Oct. 31; Gull Point 1; Nov. 2; Gull Point
• Northern Saw-whet Owl 1; Nov. 3; east of B-trail
• Rufous Hummingbird 1; through the week; Edinboro

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
September 30 - October 6, 2013

Only two notable bird species reported this week and both were from Gull Point at Presque Isle S.P.

• American Golden Plover--up to 3; all week
• Long-billed Dowitcher--1 or 2; periodically through the week
  

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
September 23 - 29, 2013

The following birds of note were reported this past week from Gull Point at Presque Isle S.P.

• American Golden Plover--up to 5; singles mostly through the week
• Stilt Sandpiper--1; Sept. 28 - 29
• Long-billed Dowitcher--1; Sept. 27 - 28
• Nelson's Sparrow--1; Sept. 23
  

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
September 16 - 22, 2013

The following birds of note were reported from Presque Isle S.P. this week.

• American Golden Plover--1 or 2; Sept. 16 to 20; Gull Point; 3; Sept. 22; Sunset Point (waterbird count; 2; Sept. 22; Gull Point
• Whimbrel--up to 3; Sept. 16; Sunset Point (waterbird count) and Gull Point
• Hudsonian Godwit--1; Sept. 22; Gull Point
  

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
September 2 - 8, 2013

The following birds of note were reported this week. All were from Gull Point at Presque Isle.

• American Golden Plover--3; Sept. 2; 1 or 2; Sept. 5 to 7; 3; Sept. 8
• American Avocet--5; Sept. 2
• White-rumped Sandpiper--4; Sept. 3; 1; Sept. 4
  

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
August 26 - Sep 1, 2013

The following birds of note were reported this week from Gull Point at Presque Isle.

• American Golden Plover--2; Aug. 28; 10; Aug. 31
• American Avocet--1; Aug. 31
• White-rumped Sandpiper--1; Aug. 28
• Baird's Sandpipers have been regular at the point for the last several days.

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
August 19 - 25, 2013

The following birds of note were reported this week from Presque Isle S.P. and Fairview Business Park, Erie Co., PA

• American Golden Plover--1; Aug. 25; Gull Point.
• Whimbrel--1; Aug. 19; Gull Point
• Stilt Sandpiper--1; Aug. 22; Fairview Business Park; 1; Aug. 25; Gull Point
• Buff-breasted Sandpiper--2; Aug. 21; Fairview Business Park; 1; Aug. 22; Gull Point
• Red-necked Phalarope--1; Aug. 25; Gull Point

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
August 12 - 18, 2013

Very few birds of note this past week and all from Gull Point at Presque Isle State Park.

• Whimbrel--1; Aug. 12; 3; Aug. 13
• Stilt Sandpiper--1; Aug. 11
  

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
August 5 - 11, 2013

Gull Point at Presque Isle State Park continues to be the place to bird. Below is a summary of this weeks sightings.

• Black-crowned Night-Heron--1; Aug. 9
• American Avocet--1; Aug. 9
• Willet--2; Aug. 9
• Whimbrel--2; Aug. 6; 1; Aug. 8; 5; Aug. 9
• Stilt Sandpiper--2; Aug. 9; 1; Aug. 11
• Laughing Gull--1; Aug. 9-10

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
July 29 - August 4, 2013

The following birds of note for this week were all from Gull Point at Presque Isle S.P.

• Piping Plover--1 unbanded adult; July 26-28
• American Avocet--5; Aug. 1
• Willet--2; Aug. 1
• Whimbrel--5; July 28; 1; Aug. 2
• Red knot--1; July 28
• Stilt Sandpiper--1; Aug. 1-2
• Buff-breasted Sandpiper--1; July 28; Record early in Erie County
• Great Black-backed Gull--1 leucistic sub-adult; Aug. 1

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
July 15 - 21, 2013

Except for one sighting, the following birds were reported from Gull Point at Presque Isle S.P.

• Tundra Swan--3; July 19
• American Avocet--1; July 17; 2; July 20
• Whimbrel--1; July 14
• Stilt Sandpiper--4; July 20 (confirmed with photos); 1; July 21
• A juvenile Pine Siskin was photographed at a feeder in Greene Twp. to confirm breeding in Erie Co.

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
June 10 - June 16, 2013

The following birds of note were reported this week from Presque Isle S.P. unless noted otherwise.

• Late waterfowl observed around Presque Isle S.P. to at least June 15 include: Green-winged Teal, Blue-winged Teal, Greater and Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, and Ruddy Duck
• Least Bittern--2; June 15; head of Presque Isle Bay
• Merlin--1 nesting pair; just reported this week; Edinboro. First confirmed nesting in Erie County.
• Piping Plover--1 unbanded; June 9-10; Gull Point
• White-rumped Sandpiper--15; June 13; Gull Point; 3; June 15; Gull Point

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
June 3 - June 9, 2013

All of the following birds of note were reported this week from Gull Point at Presque Isle S.P.

• Piping Plover-1 banded; June 8 - 9
• Ruddy Turnstone-50 (high count); June 6
  
• Red Knot-30; June 6
• White-rumped Sandpiper-2; June 6
• Wilson's Phalarope-3 females; June 4

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
May 27 - June 2, 2013

The following birds of note were reported this past week from Presque Isle State Park unless noted otherwise:

• Least Bittern--2; May 27; Niagara Pond
• Piping Plover--1 (unbanded); May 31; Gull Point
• White-rumped Sandpiper--2; May 27; Gull Point 7; May 29; Gull Point
• Laughing Gull--1 second cycle, minus the dark hood!; May 29; Gull Point
• Least Tern--1 adult; May 31; Gull Point. Likely the same bird that was photographed about three hours later in Ohio.
• Prairie Warbler--1 singing; May 31-June 1; Erie Bluffs State Park
• Connecticut Warbler--1 singing; May 28; Gull Point Trail

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
May 20 - 26, 2013

The following birds of note were reported from Presque Isle State Park this past week.

• Surf Scoter--1; to May 25; Gull Point. Record late date for Erie County.
• Whimbrel--6; May 23; Gull Point; 2; May 24; Gull Point
• White-rumped Sandpiper--1; May 21; Gull Point; 1; May 24; Gull Point
• Iceland Gull--1 first cycle; to May 25; Gull Point and near Sunset Point. A fishing lure is caught in its bill.
• Olive-sided Flycatcher--1; May 23; Long Pond Trail
• Worm-eating Warbler--1; May 24; Fry's landing. Mist netted and banded.
• Connecticut Warbler--1 heard singing; May 25; near Rangers Station
  

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
May 13 - 19, 2013

The following birds were recorded this week from Presque Isle S.P. unless noted otherwise.

• Brant--50; May 19; Presque Isle Hawk Watch at West 12th and Peninsula Drive
• Snowy Egret--1; May 15; Thompson Bay
• American Bittern--1; May 15; Gull Point Trail
• Black Vulture--2; May 15; Siegel Marsh
• Sandhill Crane--1; May 15; over Erie; 3; May 16; over Pine Tree Trail; 1; May 19; Presque Isle Hawk Watch at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center
• Piping Plover--1; May 14-15; Gull Point
• White-rumped Sandpiper--4; May 18; Gull Point
• Barn Owl--1; May 12; east of B-trail
• "Brewster's" Warbler--1; May 12; Sidewalk Trail
• Yellow-throated Warbler--1; May 18; Fry's landing
• Worm-eating Warbler--1; May 19; Fry's landing
• Red Crossbill--1; May 15 to 17; Erie
  

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
May 6 - 12, 2013

The following birds of note were recorded from Presque Isle S.P. this past week.

• Sandhill Crane-2; May 10, Presque Isle
• American Golden Plover-1; May 8; Gull Point; Fourth spring record in Erie County.
• Iceland Gull-1; to May 7; Gull Point
• Lesser Black-backed Gull-1; to May 7; off Beach 11
• Brewster's Warbler-1; May 12; Sidewalk Trail
• Golden-winged Warbler-1 to 3; May 9-10; Sidewalk and Pine Tree Trails and Fry's landing
• Orange-crowned Warbler-1; May 10; Pine Tree Trail
• Yellow-throated Warbler-1; May 10; Thompson Circle
• White-crowned "Gambel's" Sparrow-1; May 12; Presque Isle
  

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
April 29 - May 5, 2013

The following birds of note were reported from Presque Isle S.P. unless noted otherwise:

• Sandhill Crane--5; April 30; Presque Isle Hawk Watch at the TREC; 1; May 1; Presque Isle Hawk Watch at the TREC
• American Avocet--1; May 1; Sunset Point and off Beach 11
• Lesser Black-backed Gull--1; May 1; off Beach 11
• Long-eared Owl--1; April 30; west of B-trail
• Orange-crowned Warbler--1; May 5; Fry's landing
• Yellow-throated Warbler--1; April 30; Dead Pond Trail
• Worm-eating warbler--1; May 3; Fry's landing; 1; May 5; Pine Tree trail
• Kentucky Warbler--1; last seen on May 1; Beach 10 parking lot
• White-winged Crossbill--2 or 3; May 5; B-trail and Pine Tree Trail
• Pine Siskin--several flocks moving past the Presque Isle Hawk Watch at the TREC in the last several days. Some flocks contained 25 or more birds.
  

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
April 22 - 28, 2013

The following birds of note were reported this week from Presque Isle S.P., unless noted otherwise:

• Eared Grebe--1; April 25; off beach 10
• Red-throated Loon--1; April 26; off Beach 10
• Great Egret--18 (high count); April 27; Thompson Bay and vicinity
• Iceland Gull--1 first cycle; April 23 (late); Presque Isle Bay
• Summer Tanager--1 adult male in breeding plumage; April 25; Northeast; Record early in the county.
• Yellow-throated Warbler--1; April 25; Gull Point
• Kentucky Warbler--1 (unusual behavior); April 25 to at least 27; Beach 10 parking lot; Record early in the county. White-winged Crossbill--4; April 24; Beach 11 parking lot

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
April 15 - 21, 2013

The following birds of note were reported this week from Presque Isle State Park unless noted otherwise.

• Red-throated Loon--1; April 19 (rare in spring); off Beach 10
• Great Egret--6; all week; Thompson Bay and elsewhere on the park
• Black-crowned Night-Heron--1; April 18; Thompson Bay
• Sandhill Crane--1; April 15; Presque Isle Hawk Watch (Tom Ridge Environmental Center); 3; April 18; Presque Isle Hawk Watch (Tom Ridge Environmental Center)
• Long-eared Owl--1; April 15; east of B-trail; 2 or 3; April 16; east of B-trail
• Short-eared Owl--1; April 16; near Sunset Point
• Northern Saw-whet Owl--1; April 18; Erie
• Say's Phoebe--1; April 14 to 17; Thompson Bay and again on April 20 along east end of Sidewalk Trail
• Eastern Kingbird--2; April 18 (record early in Erie Co.); Thompson Bay
• Yellow-headed Blackbird--2; April 14; Lake City at a feeder
• Baltimore Oriole--1; April 19 (record early in Erie Co.); Harborcreek
  

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
April 7 - 14, 2013

The following birds of note were reported this past week from Presque Isle State Park and vicinity.

• Surf Scoter-up to 7; all week; Beach 11
• Red-necked Grebe-1; April 9; Presque Isle Bay
• Great Egret-up to 6; all week ; various sites on Presque Isle
• Black-crowned Night-Heron-3; April 8; Graveyard Pond
• Black Vulture-1; April 14; Presque Isle Hawk Watch (12th and Peninsula)
• Golden Eagle-1 adult; April 13; Presque Isle Hawk Watch (Tom Ridge Environmental Center)
• Spotted Sandpiper-1; April 7 (early); Beach 11
• Little Gull-up to 3 adults; to April 7; Presque Isle Bay
• Iceland Gull-1 first or second cycle; all week; Sunset Point and Beach 11
• Lesser Black-backed Gull-up to 4 adults; to at least April 11; Beach 11
• Sandhill Crane-2; April 12; Presque Isle Hawk Watch (12th and Peninsula)
• Say's Phoebe-1; April 14; Thompson Bay; New county record.
  

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
April 1 - 7, 2013

The following birds of note were reported from Presque Isle S.P. and nearby this week.

• Surf Scoter-up to 15; all week; off Beach 11
• White-winged Scoter-2; all week; off Beach 11
• Black Scoter-2; all week; off Beach 11
• Great Egret-up to 5; all week; Duck Pond and Long Pond
• Little Gull-up to 3 adults; all week; Presque Isle Bay, mainly off Vista 1
• Iceland Gull-1 first or second cycle; all week; Sunset Point and Beach 11
• Lesser Black-backed Gull-1 adult; to at least April 3; Beach 11
• Sandhill Crane-2; April 4; Presque Isle Hawk Watch (12th and Peninsula)
• Common Redpoll-1; April 2; Presque Isle Hawk Watch (TREC); 25; April 5; Presque Isle Hawk Watch (TREC)
  

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
March 25 - 31, 2013

The following birds of note were reported this week from Presque Isle S.P. and vicinity.

• Snow Goose--55 (47 white, 7 blue); March 26; Presque Isle Hawk Watch
• Eurasian Wigeon--1 male; to March 28; off Vista 1
• Surf Scoter--up to 10; all week; off Beach 11
• Franklin's Gull--1 adult; March 25; near fry's landing
• Little Gull--up to 15; through the week, surrounding waters of Presque Isle, but mainly off vista 1 and Beach 11
• Black-Headed Gull--2; March 26; off Beach 11
• Thayer's Gull--1 first cycle; March 26, off Beach 11
• Iceland Gull--up to 4 immatures; all week; off Beach 11
• Lesser Black-backed Gull--up to 4 adults; all week; off Beach 11
• Glaucous Gull--up to 6; all week; off Beach 11
• Long-eared Owl--1; March 25; east of B-trail
• Northern Saw-whet-Owl--1; March 31; east of B-trail
  
• Common Redpoll--up to 20; periodically all week; Vista 1 and east of B-trail
  

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
March 18 - 25, 2013

WOW! what a week it was. Of all the years I have birded Presque Isle S.P. I have never seen such gull diversity in such a short period of time. Never before has 12 species of gulls been seen in a single day, let alone from one spot, in Erie County. Many of the numbers below are conservative. With the many thousands of gulls present it was difficult to get an accurate count on each species. Below is a summary of the noteworthy birds for the past week.

• Eurasian Wigeon--1 male; all week; Horseshoe Pond and vicinity

• Surf Scoter--up to 7; all week; off beach 11 and in Presque Isle Bay
• White-winged Scoter--2; March 23 - 24; off beach 11 and in Presque Isle Bay
• Long-tailed Duck--250+ (high count); March 21; Presque Isle Bay
• Franklin's Gull--1 adult in breeding plumage; March 24; Thompson Bay
• Little Gull--28 (actual count), but likely many more; Mainly off Beach 11 and in Thompson Bay, but also throughout Presque Isle and Misery Bay
• Black-headed Gull--2 birds at times; all week; Thompson Bay and Presque Isle Bay
• Bonaparte's Gull--40,000 to 50,000 (high count); March 21, mostly off Beach 11 and Gull Point
• Thayer's Gull--1 first cycle; March 24; Thompson Bay
• Iceland Gull--at least 3 (first and second cycle); all week; off Beach 11, Thompson, and Presque Isle Bay
• Lesser Black-backed Gull--at least 7 (all adults, but one first cycle); all week; mainly off Beach 11 and in Thompson Bay
• Glaucous Gull--10+ (all ages); all week; off Beach 11, Thompson and Presque Isle Bay
• Black-legged Kittiwake--first cycle; March 24; Thompson Bay. First spring record for Erie County. Last Erie Co. record was Oct. 17, 2007
• Northern Shrike--1; March 19, Franklin Center
• Common Redpoll--at least a few still being reported at Presque Isle as well as at feeders in the county.

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
March 11 - 17, 2013

The following birds of note were reported from Presque Isle State Park unless noted otherwise:

• Snow Goose--3 white; March 11; flying over Dead Pond Trail
• Eurasian Wigeon--1 male; March 16 - 17; in Horseshoe Pond and vicinity
• Black Scoter--1 female; March 15; off Beach 11
• Red-necked Grebe--1; March 12; off Niagara boat launch
• Sandhill Crane--1; March 16; along Bagdad Rd. in Waterford
• Little Gull--up to 4; March 16; Misery Bay; 15+ (10 were off Beach 11 around noon); March 17; Presque Isle Bay, Misery Bay, and off Beach 11. This is an unprecedented number of Little Gulls for a single day in Erie County.
• Black-headed Gull--2 adults in breeding plumage; March 16 - 17; Misery Bay area
• Perhaps as many as 10,000 Bonaparte's Gulls staging around the park in the past two days.
• Thayer's Gull--1 first cycle; March 16; Misery Bay
• Iceland Gull--2 first cycle; March 16; off Beach 11
• Glaucous Gull--up to 5 of various ages; through the week; mainly off Beach 11
• Common Redpolls are still being seen at feeders in the county and at the rangers station on Presque Isle.

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
March 4 - 10, 2013

The following birds of note were reported this past week from Presque Isle State Park unless noted otherwise:

• Snow Goose--11 (4 dark, 7 white); March 4; Fairview; 7 (1 dark, 6 white); March 10; Presque Isle Hawk Watch
• Surf Scoter--2; to March 6; off Beach 11 and Presque Isle Bay
• Lesser Black-backed Gull--1 adult; March 8; off Beach 11
• Glaucous Gull--2; March 8; off Beach 11
  

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
February 25 - March 3, 2013

The following birds of note were reported this week unless noted otherwise:

• Trumpeter Swan--1 unmarked adult; through the week; off the east end of dead Pond Trail
• Surf Scoter--up to 5; through the week; Presque Isle Bay
• White-winged Scoter--up to 6; through the week, Presque Isle Bay and off Beach 11
• Black Scoter--1; to at least March 2; off Niagara boat launch
• Lesser Black-backed Gull--1 first cycle; Feb. 26; off Beach 11
• Glaucous Gull--1 near adult; Feb. 25 to Mar 1; Presque Isle Bay
• Common Redpoll--up to 26; March 2 - 3; Pine Tree and B-trails
• Hoary Redpoll--1; March 2; Pine Tree Trail
  

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
February 18 - 24, 2013

The following birds of note were reported from Presque Isle S.P., unless noted otherwise.

• Surf Scoter--up to 5; through the week; various areas around the east end of Presque Isle S.P.
• White-winged Scoter--up to 6; through the week; various areas around east end of the park
• Black Scoter--1; Feb. 21; off Perry Monument
• Iceland Gull--1 first cycle; through the week; mainly off Beach 11
• Glaucous Gull--up to 3 first cycle; through the week; various areas around east end of park
• Common Redpoll--up to 20; through the week; near entrance of Coast Guard Rd. Also many present at several feeders throughout the county.

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
February 11 - 17, 2013

The following birds of note were reported this week from Presque Isle S.P., unless noted otherwise:

• Trumpeter Swan--1 adult; through the week, mostly off Perry Monument
• Surf Scoter--up to 5; through the week; Gull Point
• White-winged Scoter--up to 6; through the week: Gull Point
• Rough-legged Hawk--2; Feb. 11; over the Tom Ridge Environmental Center; 2; Feb. 15; east of Edinboro
• Iceland Gull--1 first cycle; Feb. 15; off Beach 11
• Glaucous Gull--1 first cycle; Feb. 17; off Beach 11
• Northern Shrike--up to 2; through the week; Fairview Business Park
• Common Redpoll--up to 50; through the week; Beach 11 parking lot area
• Hoary Redpoll--1 female; Feb. 10; Beach 11 parking lot

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
February 4 - 10, 2013

The following birds of note were reported this week from Presque Isle State Park, unless noted otherwise:

• White-winged Scoter-up to 3; Feb. 8 to 10; Gull Point and off Beach 11.
• Purple Sandpiper-1; Feb. 9 - 10; Gull Point. First February record for any Calidris in Erie Co.
• Iceland Gull-1 first cycle; Feb. 8 - 9; Gull Point and beach 11; 1 adult; Feb. 9; beach 11.
• Glaucous Gull-1 imm.; Feb. 9; north pier.
• Herring Gull (dark mantled)-1; Feb. 9; off beach 11.
• Savannah Sparrow-1; Feb. 9; Fairplain Rd., Fairview. First Feb. record for Erie Co.
• Rusty Blackbird-1; Feb. 9 (early); near vista 2.
  
• Common Grackle-1; Feb. 4 (early); Franklin Center.
• Brown-headed Cowbird-1; Feb. 9 (early); cabins on Presque Isle.
• Common Redpoll-up to 20; through the week; Beach 11 area and as many as 40 or 50 at various feeders in the county.
• Hoary Redpoll-1; Feb. 10; beach 11 area.
  

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
January 21 - 27, 2013

The following birds of note were reported this week, mostly from Fairview. Since Presque Isle Bay is completely frozen over most of the gulls and waterfowl have left.

• Great Black-backed Gull X Herring Gull--1 adult; Jan. 21, head of Presque Isle Bay
• Lesser Black-backed Gull--1 adult; Jan. 21; Presque Isle Bay
• Northern Shrike--1; through the week; Fairview Business Park
• Horned Lark--140+ (high count this late in the season); Jan. 26; Blair and Fairplain Rds., Fairview
• Swamp Sparrow--1; Jan. 26 (late); Blair Road, Fairview
• Lapland Longspur--2; Jan. 26; Blair Road, Fairview
• Common Redpolls are still being reported at feeders throughout the county.

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
January 14 - 20, 2013

The following birds of note were reported this week from Presque Isle S.P. unless noted otherwise.

• White-winged Scoter--1; Jan. 19; Gull Point
• Long-tailed Duck--1; Jan. 20; off Beach 11
• Thayer's Gull--1 first cycle; Jan.18; Presque Isle Bay
• Lesser Black-backed Gull--up to 2; through the week; Presque Isle Bay
• Northern Shrike--up to 2; through the week; Fairview Business Park
• Red-winged Blackbird--1; Jan. 19; Gull Point
• Common Redpolls and Pine Siskins are still being reported at feeders throughout the county.

Erie Co. Bird Sightings
December 31, 2012 - January 6, 2013

The following birds of note were reported this week from Presque Isle State Park unless noted otherwise:

• Gadwall-200+ (high count this late); all week; throughout the park
• American Wigeon-30 (high count this late); all week; beach 11 and vista 1
• Northern Shoveler--1 (late); Jan. 4-5; channel
• Eared Grebe-1; Dec. 31-Jan. 1; off vista 2
• Little Gull-1 adult; Jan. 1; off Gull Point
• Dark-mantle herring Gull-1 adult; Dec. 31-Jan. 1; Presque Isle Bay
• Thayer's Gull-1 first cycle; Jan. 1-2; Presque Isle Bay; 1 first cycle; Jan. 5; off Niagara boat launch
• Iceland Gull-2; (1 first cycle); Jan. 1 to 4; Presque Isle Bay; 1 third cycle; Jan. 2; off Niagara boat launch
• Lesser Black-backed Gull-up to 4 adults; Dec. 31 to Jan. 6; Presque Isle Bay; 1 second cycle; Jan. 6; Presque Isle Bay
• Glaucous Gull-up to 2 imm.; Jan. 1 to 4; off vista 2 and Dobbins Landing
• Northern Shrike-1; all week ; Fairview Business Park; 1; Jan. 5; Franklin Center
• Savannah Sparrow-1; Jan. 5 (late); Corry
• Lapland Longspur-3; Jan. 5; Erie
• Common Redpoll-200+-; all week; Thompson Circle and beach 11 area