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Presque Isle
By Kelly Meinhart
here can you find a birders paradise in Pennsylvania? While there
are many hot spots around the state, Presque Isle State Park is a
one-of-a-kind place for nature enthusiasts, beach-goers, birders,
hikers, boaters, and just about anyone who enjoys being near water
and nature. In fact, it's the only 'seashore' in Pennsylvania, and
over four million visitors make the trek each year to enjoy the sandy
beaches and pristine habitats.
 resque
Isle is a small peninsula that jets out into Lake Erie, just four
miles from downtown Erie. Operated by the Department of Conservation
and Natural Resources (DCNR), this state park is one that you really
have to visit. The park itself stretches over 3,200 acres with a 13-mile
loop that takes visitors to any one of the unique treasures including
fifteen public beaches, a lighthouse, and the Stull Visitor Center.
The center is named for Jean and Jim Stull, who made a lifetime effort
to protect the beautiful habitats of Presque Isle, as well as the
wildlife that depend on it.
[
The Presque Isle Gallery 1 ]
 ne
such unique and rare habitat is the most ecologically dynamic area
at Presque Isle — Gull Point. Many of the plant species found
on this end of the island are listed as either threatened or endangered
in the state, and because it jets out into the lake, the area also
provides a save haven for migrating birds. Therefore, the area has
been set-aside as a natural area, and is closed to the public from
April 1 through November 30. You can however, view it from the observation
platform along the Gull Point Hiking Trail.
 iking
trails are truly the best way to see the natural beauty of Presque
Isle. While you will certainly see wildlife by simply driving along
the loop, it's the 11 miles of trail systems that give you a first-hand
experience with Presque Isle.
 he
day I visited Presque Isle turned out to be a balmy 42 degrees. It
was May 21st. I certainly wasn't expecting it to be that chilly, but
the birds didn't mind, and neither did the runners and walkers who
were taking advantage of the trails. I spotted a Baltimore Oriole
chasing a Blue Jay, at least 30 Yellow Warblers flitting about, Swallows
swooping here and there, Mockingbirds, at least 70 Robins, 2 Sharpies
(my slang for Sharp-shinned Hawk), Red-winged Black Birds, and my
favorite — Catbirds.
[
The Presque Isle Gallery 2 ]
resque
Isle has also been designated as an 'Important Bird Area' or IBA,
by Audubon Pennsylvania. This designation helps to increase awareness
of the importance of protecting the natural diversity of the area,
and to educate the public on ways they can get involved in birding
at Presque Isle, as well as take part in protecting this natural treasure.
 long
with the natural diversity of Presque Isle, another thing that makes
it unique is simply that it is constantly reshaping itself and migrating
eastward. The name Presque Isle means 'almost an island' in French,
and throughout its history, it has undergone some dramatic changes
due to erosion and migrating sands. In fact, storm waves have broken
through the neck that connects it to the shore at least four times
since 1819, completely cutting it off from the mainland - making it
an 'island.' The most dramatic of these events created a gap that
lasted for 32 years.
[
The Presque Isle Gallery 3 ]
oday's Presque Isle is better protected from erosion and harsh lake storms. Although the natural processes of sand transport continue to reshape it, many barriers have been installed for its protection. Some of the methods used today are the installation of Groins, long narrow structures that protect the beach by prohibiting the beach sand from going out into the lake. Seawalls are also a common way to protect the shoreline from storm waves. They are simply stone and concrete walls that line the shore and protect the roadways and the neck of the island. Another design used at Presque Isle is detached breakwaters, which are large stone structures that sit just offshore and protect the beaches from strong waves.
will definitely be returning to Presque Isle this summer. This time
Steve Hoffman, Director of Bird Conservation at Audubon Pennsylvania,
will accompany me. Steve and I are going to investigate the natural
areas, do a lot of birding, and look into the Important Bird Area
program and why it is so important to protecting the natural habitats
within Pennsylvania - so be sure to look out for a weekly feature
on Presque Isle and the IBA program in the near future.
For more information on Presque Isle check out the following web sites:
 PA
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)
Audubon
Pennsylvania's Important Bird Program
Erie
County
Erie Conservation District Office
1927 Wager Road
Erie, PA 16509
Phone: (814) 825-6403
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See past topics of Between Cattails here!
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