Leaf-Peeping

Leaf-Peeping Tour Description

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Leaf-Peeping Tour Itinerary

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Erie National Wildlife Refuge

Description: Erie National Wildlife Refuge is a wonderful place to see many different kinds of wildlife. You may see a bald eagle, northern saw-whet owl, Henslow's sparrow, black tern, or upland sandpiper and also many duck hatchlings. Many species of mammals, reptiles and amphibians, and wildflowers can be observed from the trails that are open to public use.

Environmental Issues: Due to declining waterfowl habitat throughout the United States, the Erie NWR was established in 1959, where there are over 2,500 acres of choice wetland habitats. The refuge is dedicated to preserving a variety of habitats to support a broad diversity of species including ones that are of special concern due to their scarcity. In fact, nine of Pennsylvania's 13 endangered and threatened bird species have been observed on the refuge. Birds are not the only type of endangered species on the refuge. The refuge has a five-acre wetland area of special concern called Mohawk Run Fen, a rare natural community in Pennsylvania, classified as critically imperiled. Shrub fens are important because they contain certain water and terrain features that are necessary to support uncommon plants. The shrub fen community is also an ideal habitat for bog turtles, a reptile that has been declared a federally threatened species.

Presque Isle State Park

Trails of interest:

Gull Point Trail: This trail begins at the kiosk at the east end of the Budny Beach (Beach 10) Parking Lot and makes a loop through the Gull Point Natural Area. At the southeast end of the loop, a trail leads to an observation platform. The platform, located at the edge of the Special Management Area, provides a view of shorebirds. (1.5 miles)

Recreational Trail: This paved Multi-Purpose Trail, designated as a National Recreation Trail begins at the park entrance, follows Presque Isle Bay shoreline and ends at Perry Monument. This trail is popular with bicyclists, joggers, roller skaters and is wheelchair accessible. During the winter, the trail is plowed from the entrance to the park office for hikers. For cross country skiers the trail is left snow covered from the park office to Perry Monument (5.8 miles).

Environmental Issue: Presque Isle contains more of Pennsylvania's endangered, threatened, and rare species than any other area of comparable size in the state. The peninsula is an ideal stop over location for migrating birds during their annual migration. The ecologically fragile Gull Point is a favorite place for migrating birds to stop. Some 320 species of birds have been identified on the peninsula. In addition to the many birds that pass by Gull Point, many rare plants also make it their home. To help preserve and protect the many species of plants and animals residing on Gull Point, the eastern portion is closed to the public from April till November, the time during which most of the park's four million annual tourists visit the park.

There are seven distinct ecological zones on Presque Isle, including Lake Erie, the bay and shoreline, sand plain and new ponds, dunes and ridges, old ponds and marshes, thicket and sub-climax forests, and climax forest. Each zone has distinct plant and animal communities. Records of ecological succession, the gradual change in an ecosystem over time to a more stable climax form, can be traced through each zone. At the park, wildlife such as muskrats, beavers, turtles, frogs, deer, and opossums are frequently seen. A patient observer may even catch a glimpse of a coyote, raccoon, or skunk as dusk approaches. During the winter, visitors will find many animal tracks in the snow on the beach. More than 600 plant species have been recorded here and many are found nowhere else in Pennsylvania. At least 60 of these plants are listed on the state's list of species of special concern.