Presque Isle State Park, PA

This book is available! https://www.trecf.org/accidental-paradise

PI Lights this weekend! Check it out.

EP shares #OutsidetheWindow: "In winter, Snowy Owls often visit our area from their summer range north of the Arctic Circle. These large white owls have migrated south to ensure themselves a winter supply of food. They hunt small mammals, ducks and seabirds. Adult male Snowy Owls are mainly white in color. Females and young owls are white with dark brown bars. Unlike most owls that rest in high spots, Snowy Owls tend to rest on the ground during the day drawing a lot of... attention, similar to the mounted taxidermy owl pictured below. If you spot an owl, keep a respectable distance. While these birds are well adapted to winter conditions, any unnecessary stress or flying caused by humans will waste valuable energy needed to stay warm and hunt for food. Utilize binoculars, spotting scopes and zoom cameras when viewing these magnificent bird and do not flush them out of their resting areas." See more

Discover the Amazing Mantis in this virtual program.

#OutsidetheWindow from RB: "While on a hike at Erie Bluffs State Park, I came across several fuzzy caterpillars, including many wooly bears. Pictured are two of the caterpillars, both belonging to the tussock moth group. Tussock moths use their hair for defense. The hairs are barbed, easily detach, and can become embedded in the unlucky person. It can irritate the skin of sensitive individuals causing a localized rash and itching. The caterpillars are seen in June through September. In September or October they locate a safe place to spin their cocoon for the winter months. The hairs are incorporated into the silk so the cocoons are also protected."

#OutsidetheWindow from JL: "We have had periods of large amounts of rain in our area. As a result, flooding has occurred in many places. In addition to being an expensive event, flooding also displaces many types of animals. If you live near wooded areas, this can be an especially large problem. Flooding displaces many rodents from their natural habitat. As a result, these animals are seeking areas that can provide food and shelter, such as homes, sheds, barns and other build...ings. Structures damaged by the floods are particularly attractive and provide easy access to rodents. The unwelcome pests can damage property and, in extreme cases, pose a potential health problem. Rats and mice As soon as possible, remove all debris that could provide protective cover for rodents from around homes and buildings. Remove potential food sources, such as household trash, waste grain or other foods. Close openings into buildings, such as around water pipes, electrical wires, vents and doors, with 1/8-inch mesh hardware cloth or sheet metal. Use bait stations to control large rodent populations. Use live baited with bacon bits, peanut butter and oatmeal or oatmeal paste to capture nuisance rats and mice. Check traps daily. Squirrels Trim trees to prevent squirrels from jumping onto roofs. Prevent squirrels from traveling along wires to houses and buildings by installing 2-foot sections of lightweight plastic pipe 2 to 3 inches in diameter. Slit pipe lengthwise, spread open and place over wire. The pipe will rotate on the wire and cause traveling squirrels to fall. Close openings to attics and eaves with heavy 1/2-inch wire mesh or sheet metal. In closed attics, naphthalene (mothballs) may work as a temporary repellent. Use 1 to 2 pounds spread evenly throughout the attic; greater amounts may be needed for large spaces. Traps, including box traps and cage traps, can be used to catch squirrels. Regular rat-size traps will catch flying squirrels. Good baits are: apples, cracked corn, pecans removed from the shell, peanut butter and sunflower seeds. Because squirrels are game animals, check with wildlife conservation agents in your area before placing traps for squirrels. For safety reasons, always try natural and humane methods to prevent rodents from making your home theirs. Try to avoid poisons when possible. Keep in mind that, like you, these animals did not ask for this event to happen and are reacting to it instinctively in order to survive. Try to be kind." See more

AD shares #OutsidetheWindow:" The Great Blue Heron is the largest and heaviest heron seen in our region with a wingspan of up to 72 inches. It is also one of the most vocal, calling frequently in flight with a low, hoarse croaking call. It is solitary and nocturnal and is seen on Presque Isle as long as there is open water."

BG shares #OutsidetheWindow:"The fall can be a great time to see a variety of waterfowl gathering in large numbers in and around the peninsula. The other day when a storm was coming through a large gathering of birds caught my eye off of Leo’s Landing on Presque Isle State park. There were many gulls flying and diving into the bay. The larger darker birds are Double-Crested Cormorants. There were several hundred of these birds gathered in the bay, it was quite a site to s...ee. These birds were chasing a large school of baitfish. The Cormorant has the ability to dive under the water up to twenty five feet below the surface to catch its prey and stay under the water for up to seventy seconds. The best time to see these kinds of congregations is when a storm front is passing through. So the next time the weather report calls for rain you may want to plan a drive around the peninsula, you may get a chance to witness nature at its best. Happy Exploring"

RB shares #OutsidetheWindow: "While hiking a trail in preparation for a public hike, I noticed the wound on this oak tree. I have seen this tree for years with what is known as a canker growing on it, as you can see it is a large growth on the tree. What really caught my attention was the white, Styrofoam appearance. What appeared to happen was the outer layer of bark was removed from the canker, either by a critter or a visitor, exposing the interior of the canker of whic...h I have never seen before causing me to do some more research. Cankers are dead sections of the bark on the trunk or branches that was killed by mechanical injury or plant pathogens such as bacteria or fungi. Most plant pathogens are unable to penetrate bark but easily do so when wounded. Most cankers are not going to kill the tree, but over time if the canker grows it can kill all the bark all the way around the tree, thus girdling it. This results in death of the area beyond the canker, which could be just a branch or the whole tree if on the main trunk. " See more

Our pre-school program returns virtually! Register today.

2021 Water Quality and Resource Management Internships Presque Isle State Park Note: All positions are being posted with the intention of having interns during the summer season for 2021, however, Covid-19 may impact filling of these positions....Continue reading

#OutsidetheWindow from EP:"One of the earliest plants to showcase its fall foliage is the Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina). The green leaves turn vibrant red, copper and orange tones for a bright splash of color in the autumn landscape. Female plants add additional visual interest with tall, pyramid-shaped fruit clusters that start off bright red and can persist throughout the winter months. This unique native shrub is named for the hairy stems that look like velvet on a stag’s antlers. Be on the lookout for this plant along the edge of field and forest habitats or roadside areas. Take to the outdoors for photos against the fiery multi-color foliage!"

Presque Isle's deer hunt is scheduled. See link for more information. https://www.dcnr.pa.gov//PresqueIsleSta/Pages/default.aspx

#OutsidetheWindow from HB:"When I moved into my house, there was a beautiful newly planted hydrangea near the porch. Over the past two years it has grown rather large, so I did some research on how to prune it back. I learned quite a bit! Glad I looked it up instead of just hacking away! Turns out, there are several kinds of hydrangea and, depending on the variety you have, the pruning methods vary. I learned that I have a panicle hydrangea. The timing for pruning is t...he same for all varieties, but the difference is in the method you use to prune. Some types allow you to prune them back harshly to the ground. The variety I have flowers from woody stems, so keeping the stems is important for flower development, so you can’t just cut them down. I also learned the correct way to prune is to wait until you can see the buds start and to snip the stem off right above a leaf bud, this will ensure you have growth at the end of each stem of the plant. The best time to prune any variety of hydrangea is mid- late winter. Some people even hold off a bit longer in case there are any late frosts, so early spring is often an ideal time for pruning. Late frosts tend to damage any new buds that come through after pruning. I was still a little nervous, so I watched a few videos, everyone assured me that these plants are very forgivingone person even stated, If the plant is alive when you start, I can almost guarantee it will be alive when you are done pruning. So, with that vote of confidence and my new-found knowledge, I am planning to prune in the late winter/early springwish me (and my plant) luck!" See more

Walk it off Pennsylvania and join us at the Bluffs this weekend. Registration required.

This is the perfect weekend to enjoy a hike at Erie Bluffs with us! You must register if you would like to join us for this COVID-safe hike.

SM shares #OutsidetheWindow: "This plant has one of the most striking red colors in the fall. The Virginia Creeper turns color in the fall like a flame shooting up from a fire. Virginia Creeper is a PA native vine and climbs by means of disk tipped tendrils. The fruit is a purple to black berry and is attractive to birds and an important food source in winter. In testing out my creative abilities I have written a poem. Vin...e Fiery red Creeping, growing, clinging Leaves soon to die Virginia Creeper" See more

JL shares #OutsidetheWindow:"Every so often, I have found stones along Presque Isle’s beaches that had little holes in them. Sometimes I discovered that they were used for fishing net weights or similar things. But many times they just had little holes that went all the way through that couldn’t possibly be any type of tool, so I did some looking around online and found that these are called Hag Stones, or Adder Stones. Hag stones can be any type of stone that has a natur...al hole in it and, if in your possession, may be considered a sacred object. They have also been called Witch Stones, Snake Eggs, Hex Stones, Fairy Stones, Holey Stones and Eye Stones. Most are found in dry riverbeds or along the sea or lakeshore, as the action of running water causes the erosion that results in the unique appearance of the stone. They have been used for centuries in rituals and spell work to counter witch’s magic, ward off the dead, or rid someone of curses. Fishermen would find them on beaches during their travels. They would tie them to their boats to keep evil spirits away. Livestock owners would hang them by a cord in the center of each stable to protect the horses and other livestock, or else a cow would give sour milk and hens would refuse to lay eggs. If you have a hag stone, wear it around your neck out in nature. To fine tune your collecting skills, gather morning dew in a container and gently pour it through the hole in your stone before anointing yourself. There is a lot more to the legend of these Hag Stones, so I challenge you to look it up and discover more. If you find one, make sure to place it on your headboard to prevent nightmares."

PI Trivia answer: C) 1966

PI Trivia Time: A UFO supposedly landed at Presque Isle in which year? A)1957 B)1961 C)1966 D)1972