The first birding trip of 2013 got off to a fast start on New Year’s Day when my wife and I spotted a bald eagle at Presque Isle State Park.

Contributed/LINDA MARTIN

The adult bird circled Leo’s Landing before settling in a tree to the east of the landing access road and field. It made a meal of something clutched in its talons for more than 5 minutes before flying toward Presque Isle Bay and disappearing behind the treeline. We found it again maybe 20 minutes later, high above and headed north toward the open lake.

Either this eagle is particularly active at Presque Isle or there are few birds making the rounds — a check of recent sightings online shows a number of eagle encounters.

Also on the New Year’s Day birding list: Red-bellied woodpecker, northern cardinals, American goldfinches, tree sparrows and black-capped chickadees. Gulls by the thousands toured Presque Isle Bay, where ducks, especially mallards, were active.