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by Christine Smyczynski

This article, the second in a series of 17 that focus on the various birding sites along the 518-mile Seaway Trail, describes the Presque Isle area in Erie, Pennsylvania. Presque Isle is a Pennsylvania State Park which is located on a 3,200 acre peninsula about 4 miles west of downtown Erie. This 7 mile long stretch of land has sand dunes, landlocked ponds, and marshes which are used by migrating birds.

It is a National Natural Landmark with many unique habitats which are home to many species of wildlife, some of which are endangered, threatened, or rare. About 320 species of birds can be found in the park; about 45 of these species are considered endangered or threatened. Some of these include the Cerulean Warbler, Piping Plover, and Rusty Blackbird. Purple Martins also roost by the thousands near beach #11 and in the cattails near the water treatment plant.

Presque Isle is listed as Pennsylvania Important Bird Area #1 by the Pennsylvania Audubon Society and it has been rated one of the best places to bird watch in the United States by Birders World Magazine. One of the more unique areas at Presque Isle is the Gull Point Natural Area, which is actually closed to public use April to November to preserve the natural habitat.

To find out more about Presque Isle, stop by the Tom Ridge Environmental Center at the entrance to the park. The center has interactive educational exhibits about the area, as well as a gift shop, cafeteria, and a 75 foot observation tower overlooking Lake Erie. Other activities at Presque Isle include 11 beaches, 11 miles of hiking trails, 4 boat launches, fishing areas, picnic facilities, two lighthouses, bike rentals, fishing areas, and even scenic boat tours.

The annual Discover Presque Isle Festival is scheduled for July 23-25, 2010. The event features a variety of activities and entertainment. For more info see www.discoverpi.com

For more information about the area, see the following websites:

www.visitpaparks.com
www.visiterie.com
www.trecpi.org

By Christine A. Smyczynski

Travel back in time to the days of knights, royalty and peasants at Hawk Creek’s annual Renaissance Festival. This event is Hawk Creek’s biggest fundraiser of the year. Hawk Creek Wildlife Center, one of the largest not-for-profit outreach and raptor rehabilitation sites in the state, is only open to the public four times a year for special events. The Renaissance Festival takes place on July 17, 18, 24 and 25 from 11am-4pm.

This event features period re-enactors, delicious foods, a free flying bird show, period entertainment, an art auction, and more. You can also learn about the ancient art of falconry; hunting with a bird of prey, which was done in Europe by nobility during medieval times.

You will have the opportunity to interact with wildlife up close and walk with the eagles. In addition, there will be Barn Owl releases each day. Barn Owls are one of the rarest raptors in our area.

There will be a special appearance by Jared Miller from the TV show Animal Explorations, with 2 shows and autograph sessions daily. A concert by the Irish rock band, Stonerow, is scheduled for July 17 from 5-7pm. (There is a separate charge for the concert).

Be sure to bring a camera and dress for the weather, as the event happens rain or shine. In consideration of the animals at Hawk Creek, please leave your pets at home. Admission is $14 adult, $11 senior, $8 children, and $32 family. Parking is free.

Hawk Creek Wildlife Center, 655 Luther Road, East Aurora, NY. 716-652-8646
www.hawkcreek.org

Interested in learning even more about raptors? Browse our selection of wildlife books on USABirdSupply.com and check out Hawks From Every Angle: How To Identify Raptors in Flight, featuring beautiful full-color photos taken by Jerry Liguori.

By Christine Smyczynski

While backyard birding is fun and rewarding, occasionally you may want to spread you wings, so to speak, and see other types of birds that you might never see hanging out at your backyard bird feeder. About an hour south of Buffalo there is a special place where you can do just that.

Gooseneck Hill Waterfowl Sanctuary is a family-owned natural habitat that protects and preserves endangered species as well as offers a place where the public can become educated about waterfowl. Visitors can actually go inside the aviary and hand feed the birds.

Come and see 350 birds, including exotic ducks, geese, and swans, as well as over 1,000 Japanese Koi fish. There are 27 species of ducks, some of them include Pacific Elder Ducks and Old Square Ducks from Alaska, Smew from Scandinavia, Barrows Golden Eye and White Winged Scoters. The sanctuary’s Whistler Swans are 4 feet tall, have a wing span of 8 feet and can fly over 100 MPH.

There are also 9 species of geese from all over the world, including the endangered Nene Geese from Hawaii; only 600 of them exist in the world. Other geese include Red-breasted geese from Siberia, known as the most beautiful geese in the world and the Bar-head from India, which can fly at altitudes of up to 35,000 feet.

Gooseneck Hill is open for tours Sundays from July 4 to August 31 from 2-5PM. Admission is $7 adults, $5 seniors and children. The tour includes an educational slide show, puppet and parrot show, a gift shop and the opportunity to feed birds and Koi fish.

Gooseneck Hill Waterfowl Sanctuary, 716-942-6835, www.gooseneckhillwaterfowlfarm.com 5067 Townline Road, Delevan

   Anyone who enjoys and appreciates birds will want to check out Bird of Prey Day on June 19th at Hawk Creek Wildlife Center, Inc. in East Aurora. Hawk Creek is a 52-acre wildlife center that specializes in preserving birds of prey and mammals and it is one of the largest educational outreach facilities in the state. It is only open to the general public during special events.

   Activities during Bird of Prey Day include the Avian Airforce Flying Bird Show, which uses birds to explain the history of aviation. Featured are a Harris Hawk, Turkey Vulture, American Barn Owl and a Trumpeter Hornbill. Show times are Noon and 2:30 PM.

   The Walk with the Eagles™ exhibit lets participants actually go into the exhibit accompanied by a trainer to get close to these rare raptors. There will also be a hawk and vulture walk, where you can stand right next to the trainer while learning about these birds.

    Kids will enjoy using a scavenger hunt booklet. They will earn a stamp for each fact they learn about aircrafts and birds. When they complete the booklet, they will earn their wings and get a commemorative pin.

    If you want to make a donation to Hawk Creek, you can bank with the crow. Their African Pied Crow has been trained to collect your donation and deposit it in the stash. Other creatures on display include otter and a Siberian lynx.

   Bird of Prey Day takes place June 19 from 11 AM to 4 PM, rain or shine, at Hawk Creek Wildlife Center, 655 Luther Road, East Aurora, NY 716-652-8646, www.hawkcreek.org Admission is $10 adults, $8 child, and $26 for a family. Parking is free.

By Christine a. Smyczynski

Whether you are a backyard birder who only observes the birds that come into your yard or a serious ornithologist who takes trips into the field to seek out elusive birds, you may want to check out the Birding Festival which will take place in Jamestown, New York June 10-13. Sponsored by the Roger Tory Peterson Institute, this festival focuses on the migratory warblers who wing their way to western New York each June.
The event features several field trips in the early morning, when the birds are most likely to be singing. During last year’s festival 26 species of warblers were spotted, including the Blue-winged Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler and Common Yellowthroat. Some of the birding destinations include a trip into the forests in nearby Pennsylvania, Allegany State Park, Jamestown Audubon Society, and the Chautauqua Lake Outlet. Each tour cost between $10-$15 and registration is a must.
There will also be a number of speakers, including a talk by RTPI President, Jim Berry, who will speak about rare pieces of Peterson art. Other presenters include Dr. Jerome Jackson, who will talk about the Ivory-billed woodpecker, and Dr. Bridget Stutchbury, a biology professor at York University who has studied the social lives of birds.
Most of these events take place on the campus of Jamestown Community College, which is adjacent to the RTPI. Overnight accommodations are available at the college, as well as at nearby motels. Registration is necessary to take part in any festival event. For more information about the event contact the Roger Tory Peterson Institute, 311 Curtis Street, Jamestown, NY 14701 716-665-2473 www.rtpi.org.

By Christine Smyczynski