4/10/2013
Well, I have made a few other birding jaunts around Presque Isle since my last post, but until today, I haven't noticed many significant changes. Spring is a hold out, with the temp being 44*F and light rain with thick fog. On the plus side, leaves are starting to make an appearance on the bushes, casting a green promise on a dead landscape.
Lichens have exploded, almost overnight. I put one up for identification but I am pretty sure it is the Common Greenshield. I plan on going out for a better look at lichens and fungi. I was amazed at the lack of information on these very important microecosystems of nature and saddened by the fact that Pennsylvania has lost many of its lichen holdings to universities in other states. Anyway, I plan on giving them a bit more attention as lichen populations in general are on the decline from pollution and fragmentation.
In the bird world I noticed a reduction in Scaup numbers but an increase in Buffleheads, especially in the bay. There was a nice sized flock of Red-breasted Mergansers off the East Pier...I counted 70 birds. Also off the East Pier I played 'hide-and-seek' with a Brown Creeper...unfortunately I lost and was unable to get the picture. The Brown Creeper though, is what drew me to more closely inspect the lichens.
I am seeing many more Bonaparte Gulls in breeding plumage. They are still mixed with the Herring Gulls, though not as solidly as before. The Ring-Billed Gulls seem to want to have nothing to do with these relatives of theirs; they head inland when the other gulls are especially active. American Coots are still hanging in the cattails at the head of bay in sizeable numbers. Mallards have paired up though tend to hang right on shore and are not noticeable unless you flush them out. And of course, there are Canadian Geese everywhere getting ready to nest.
I didn't get over to Beach 11...perhaps tomorrow.
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