My husband Don snowshoeing at PI

Last year my husband surprised me with snowshoes for Christmas. At first I wasn’t sure I cared for this gift. I don’t know why, after all I used to cross country ski. But after trying them out I knew it was just what I needed to hit the trails at Presque Isle in winter after a good amount of snowfall which we have been getting. We started out near the Light House on the Sidewalk trail then turned onto Dead Pond trail which I had not been on for awhile. The snow was just right for our snowshoes as we walked beside the cross country ski tracks and not on them to prevent making ruts for the skiers.

A trail

This is A trail one of the side trails off of Dead Pond trail. It takes you to the Pine Beach area of the park.

Toni at Pine Tree beach area

Here at Pine Tree beach we walked out to view the lake and its massive ice dunes. They are awesome to see but dangerous to walk on. Amazing how the waves become frozen in peaks but they are not solid underneath.

Frozen Ice Dunes

Deer rubbings

All along the trails are signs of wildlife living on the park. You will see tracks everywhere and places where the deer are rubbing their antlers and have bedded down for the night.

Snowshoes Don made in class at Presque Isle State Park

The park is always offering classes and few years ago Don took a class making snowshoes. And yes as you can see they are usable and not just for hanging on the wall. He did an awesome job making these and I believe they still offer classes on snowshoes. If you are interested you will have to call the TREC for a class schedule.

I tried to photograph birds but it was difficult. We mostly saw downy woodpeckers. At one point we saw a hairy and a downy next to each other. This was a first for my husband and you could really see the difference between the two. Sorry couldn’t get a good shot of them.  we also saw and heard several chickadees, titmouse, and on one area of Dead Pond trail we always find several Tree Sparrows feeding off the dried grasses.

Downy Woodpecker

Tree Sparrow

Tree Sparrow

And lastly I love photographing the milkweed in winter with the seed puffs frozen in time.

Banking to his right.

Banking to his left.

Come and visit, you never know what’s available out here unless you come and see for yourself

Yes, the Great Backyard Bird Count for 2010 is soon approaching!  I encourage everyone to get out there, on your decks, in your yards, your local parks or even out your windows and count those birds.  Don’t just count them though, enjoy them, because for the vast majority of us, that’s what it’s all about…enjoying the beauty of nature in all its splendor.  The Presque Isle Audubon Society is hosting a GBBC event on Saturday February 13th at the Stull Interpretive Center.  The event will be held from 9:00 a.m. until noon and will include informational/educational programming,  a craft activity for all ages, a nature walk (weather permitting), and light refreshments.  So bring your binos, or use the few pairs we have, and get down to the Stull Center and help us count 8 ‘ ).

I was jonesin’ for a trip to Presque Isle last week after a way too long hiatus so I headed down despite the less than ideal weather.  There were plenty of swans and other waterfowl off Beach 11 but most were pretty far off.   Soon after I took these I learned my camera shutter was about to fail.  I traded it in for an upgraded model which should be here by Monday:)

More swans off beach 11.

Some synchronized swan swimming!

Coots stealthily slip by this unmanned blind.

Seemed odd to find a tree, apparently downed by a beaver, along the beach.

The alarm went off at 5:30AM and I slowly dragged myself from the warm covers thinking I must be crazy getting up to go count birds. I could see fresh fallen snow glistening in the street light as I peered out my window. It was going to be cold and the visibility was poor as the weather called for snow showers. After a couple of cups of coffee I layered up and gathered my gear and headed for Presque Isle.

A good size group of birders met at the Ranger Station eagerly gathering in groups before setting out to our designated areas. I met up with Julie and we joined the group that was going to be counting along the lagoons. Since my bird banding friend, Don, and I had to leave by 11 o’clock we rode together to our first stop at the Marina. Visibility was poor and it was snowing and blowing with a few sightings of geese, gulls, a Bufflehead and a Great Blue Heron flying overhead. It is duck hunting season on Presque Isle so several hunters could also be seen and heard.

As we were leaving the Marina road and turned onto the main highway around the park we came to a sudden stop for something we did not expect to see. There in the middle of the road was a Coyote.

Several Coyotes make their home on Presque Isle and I have seen their scat on the trails but this was my first time seeing one.

The photos are grainy and poor but I had to show you. We were all excited to see him standing there and one of the reasons I love Presque Isle because you never know what you will see on this beautiful park off the shores of Lake Erie.

Our next stop was the first bridge over the Lagoons where we spotted another Great Blue Heron flying in and landing a good distance away.

Perry Monument was next where we stood out in the open and the wind seemed to go right through you. American Tree Sparrows fed off the ground and gulls were out in Thompson Bay. Several Swans flew overhead calling to each other. Then suddenly a Peregrine Falcon went soaring by us chasing what we thought might have been a Snow Bunting. I tried to photograph the Tree Sparrows but all of my shots were blurred. One of these days I’ll learn the settings on my camera. Michele could not make it this year so I’m afraid the photos are poor quality.

The last stop for myself with the team was the Graveyard Trail along the Lagoons near Perry Monument.

This trail takes you to parts of the inner sections of the lagoons. Here we saw several Mallards and a couple of Black ducks among the dried reeds and boggy areas. Once again the Swans flew overhead and this time came directly over us.

Sadly I had to end my day early for the Christmas Bird Count. The rest of the team would meet for lunch and then head back out again. I have not heard yet what the final count was but will post it as soon as I hear.

I will be missing my sidekick, Michele, who will be in Cleveland for the Trans Siberian Orchestra Show. So if there is any one who would like to meet up with me let me know. We meet at the Ranger Station between 7-7:30 AM and will be split up into groups to go to various parts of the park.  There is more info here on the local Presque Isle Audubon Society web site.

Lets hope I can get some good photos for a blog post following Saturdays event. Hope to see you there.

Downy Woodpecker photgraphed last winter.

Since I have not been able to make it to Presque Isle for over a month now I thought I would post this suet recipe I make for my backyard birds.

Winter is upon us and as we cozy up with a hot drink watching the winter resident birds at our feeders dashing in and out of the trees and shrubs think about what it takes for them to keep warm. One way for them to build up their fat content is with the protein and fat from suet. So as you are whipping up those holiday cookies here is a simple easy suet recipe for our little friends.

I make this suet through the winter months and love watching the birds devour the suet cake in a matter of days sometimes. I got this recipe from Julie Zickefoose’s blog which became quite popular and known as ‘Zick Dough’

• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 cup lard
• 2 cups yellow corn meal
• 2 cups quick oats
• 1 cup flour

I don’t buy the expensive peanut butter. Store brand will do just fine and I purchase the large tub of lard at WalMart in the baking section. I store both in a cupboard and they keep well even through the summer months.

I melt the lard and peanut butter in a glass bowl in the microwave for about 3 minutes. This would depend on your power setting so keep an eye on it so it does not burn. Or melt it on the stove top over low heat.

I then add the dry ingredients and stir till blended. If you want to take this a step further you can add some peanuts or seed or both. On occasions I will.

After mixing I then pour the dough evenly into 3 Ziploc square containers. Set aside to cool and set. For quick setting I’ll put one in the freezer for about a half hour.

I keep them in the container till it is time to fill the suet basket. I found that the Ziploc container filled about half way was just the right size to make the suet cake to fit the square wire baskets.

This suet dough attracts several birds, and I get a kick when all of them want to get to the suet all at once.  Makes me feel good knowing I’m making a special treat they love to eat.  And thanks Julie for posting about your suet dough and sharing with us.

Now that winter is upon us.  This is what you’ve missed if you haven’t visited the Park during the Fall season.

West end of the Marina

Waterworks Pond

Lagoons area

Marina

Horshoe Pond

Marina..West end

Marina area taken from East end

Duck Hunter in Misery Bay

And here are just a few of the birds that are around now as well as the Fall.

Chicadee..may stay around all winter

American Tree Sparrow

I think this is a Field Sparrow...let me know folks

Slate colored Junco

I hope you’ve enjoyed these pics.  The next time they’ll all be loaded with that white stuff and I’ll give you an idea of what the Park’s like in the winter.

Photo by Toni

As I watched the sun come up from my dining room window blue skies began to appear crystal clear and not one cloud to mar its beauty. I could hear Presque Isle beckon me to its shore. I called Michele and made arrangements to catch up with her later mid morning at the park.

What a glorious day as PI state park is just starting to really paint her colors of fall. As I was heading to Fry Landing I saw Brian and pulled off to hook up with him a bit and he joined me on the trail. We entered the trail near the banding station and soon found several Gold Crown Kinglets.

Gold Crown Kinglet by Brian

They flutter so fast between the brush it is hard to get a photo but we persevered and they finally came out into the open. The trail takes you out to the beach 11 parking lot and several pine trees where the Kinglets were easily seen feeding.

Gold Crown feeding by Toni

Gold Crown by Brian

Brian and I then split up and I finally caught up with Michele on the trail and we went to Canoe Portage Trail and Duck Pond Trail. Several Robins gathered in the canopy above as we entered Canoe Portage Trail. This is where I usually find Robins during the winter months. We also saw Swainson Thrushes, Chickadees, and more Kinglets. Michele picked up the call of a Towhee. Bird calls still elude me but I’m slowly improving.

Swainson Thrush by Toni. Not the best photo.

Our last stop was on Duck Pond Trail. At first nothing was showing but you could hear more Kinglets in the brush then finally a Ruby Crown Kinglet was bouncing along the path feeding, stopping long enough for photo opportunities.   Perfect way to end the early afternoon with good friends and birds. And for you more photos. Enjoy!

Ruby Crown by Toni

Ruby Crown Kinglet by Toni

Ruby Crown Kinglet by Michele

Bluejay by Brian

Junco by Brian. Migration is nearly done when you start to see Juncos

Yellow-rump Warbler by Brian. Isn't that a cute butt

White-throated Sparrow by Brian

The End!