The Shortest Straw

Dateline: 31 December 2023

“This shortest straw has been pulled for you…” – Metallica, The Shortest Straw, 1988.

It was time once again for BirdingPI.com’s annual “New Year’s Eve day trek to Gull Point.” With cold temps, overcast skies, light/persistent rain, and minimal bird activity, the normally happy occasion morphed into BirdingPI.com’s “New Year’s Eve day involuntary ordeal out to Gull Point.” Happy to report, however, only minimal hypothermia. #no_birder_left_behind

White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
American Tree Sparrow I
American Tree Sparrow II
GBHIF I
GBH part 2
Abstract tree reflections w/ bird
Great Black-backed Gull on Thompson Bay

Highlight of the day, lovely Downy Woodpecker in ‘launch’ mode:

Finally out at Gull Point proper, e.g., outer mud flats. The only in situ birds observed, two Herring Gulls:

So this goes down as “Gull Point least on-site bird activity ever.” Which is something, maybe.

And to wrap it up, on Lake Erie off Gull Point, first a raft/line of ducks, mostly Scaup (Greater? Lesser?):

And one, lone, lovely Ruddy Duck:

Coming up soon, more Erie County, PA bad weather, and then some!