Spring Migration

Road Trip Tally

This Trip
800 MILES 
200 PHOTOS CATALOGED

Cumulative
Larry Has Gone: 30,800 Miles
Cataloged 13,450 photos

This was primarily a birding trip, with photos happening every now and again.

Presque Isle lies along the Atlantic Flyway, positioning it as a vital rest stop for migratory birds. Throughout spring, the park transforms as thousands of birds funnel through the peninsula—from waterfowl and shorebirds to songbirds and raptors.

• Waterfowl arrive as early as March and again in late November and December.
• Shorebirds peak in April and again in September.
• Warblers move through in mid-May and again in September.

At the peak of spring, you might witness an astonishing variety—up to 140 species in a day, with trees filled with warblers, flycatchers, and vireos. I saw about 60 species.

The Erie Bird Observatory at Fry’s Landing operates a public bird banding station throughout spring (around six weeks of activity), offering a hands-on experience with birds in-hand and tagging along for research and education.

Presque Isle features a mosaic of natural zones—bare sand beaches, stabilizing dunes, freshwater marshes, shrublands, and mature forest—all within just a few miles. Strolling the trails, you’ll see ecological succession firsthand.

Presque Isle Light: The distinctive brick lighthouse built in 1873, still guiding mariners and offering scenic charm. There are other lighthouses in the area that I took some time to visit and photograph (as I do).

If you’re planning a springtime escape to Presque Isle, here’s what awaits:

Check Erie Bird Observatory’s updates before heading to Fry’s Landing for banding.Erie Bird Observatory

Register early for the Festival of the Birds—it’s capped at 150 attendees.presqueisleaudubon.orgAll About Birds