Birders Flock to Presque Isle

Bird watchers are now flocking to Presque Isle for the peak of the spring migration. The location of the park along the North Atlantic flyway, attracts a huge number of birds heading north to their breeding grounds.

 And the warblers, purple martins and other birds are a magnet for birders. Many come from the tri-state region and spend plenty of money on motels, restaurants and gasoline. But others travel much longer distances to Erie to enjoy their favorite hobby.

Environmental Educator Anne DeSarro said, “I’ve met people on the park from Australia, Japan, Europe, and Great Britian. A lot of people from England are birders. They come over here and follow the migration.”

Over the course of a year, you can see more than 300 different bird species at the park.

Each spring, anxious to see and photograph the most species of birds moving through, I head to either Presque Isle State Park or a few hours west to Magee Marsh, Ohio.  Both places are hot spots where the birds funnel in, rest, and bulk up on food before crossing Lake Erie.  This year I spent two days in Erie, but the birds were moving  through slowly.  When it’s a good day for migrants, it’s hard to know where to look first!  This wasn’t one of those trips, but was still enjoyable.  Here are a few of the beautiful birds that were seen there on May 8 and 9.

Palm Warbler

Palm Warbler

Yellow-throated Vireo

Female Blackburnian Warbler