Purple Gallinule in PA! ~ October 16, 1999

After getting out of work at 11:30 on Friday night, I made the 7-hour drive to Presque Isle State Park in Erie, arriving there in the morning. I and several other birders watched as a Purple Gallinule walked in the shallow water along the edge of Duck Pond. The bird was severely backlit by the early morning sun, but I was just glad to see the bird, let along get a photo of it.

Purple Gallinule at Presque Isle State Park, Erie County. Note the pale blue forehead shield, pale brown head and neck, and all-white undertail coverts. This immature bird, seen at the north end of Duck Pond, represents the 1st record for P.I.S.P. and Erie County.

It made the return trip seem a lot shorter with another state bird added to my list.

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