Lakeshore count, Manistee

[Brian Allen]

Attempted the lakeshore count at 7:30 am then thought it would be better to seek shelter from the sleet, pouring rain and giant clusters of snow.  The weather went from vicious to moderatley nasty at 8:30 so I ventured out on the pier.  Most of the ice is off from First St. Pier now and it is finally possible to walk to the end.

I was able to endure one hour of counting until the freezing wet gale driven rain and snow paralyzed the left side of my face and I gave up the will to continually dry off my optics.

Birds seen Common Loon 8, Double-cr. Cormorant 1, Blue-winged Teal 6, 
Scaup sp. 8, Common Goldeneye 2, Bufflehead 6, Black Scoter 1, Long-tailed Duck 46, Red-breasted Merganser 68, Common Merganser 4, Herring Gull 12, Ring-billed Gull 21.

Despite my rain pants, insulated shoes, coat etc. I was too miserable to continue and started to walk back on the pier.  Two fisherman that had been there before I arrived were staying it out and I asked how long.  Untill 5:00pm they said in their soaked blue jeans and cotton hoodies!  I said see you later, I'll call the ambulance.

No more birding until it's 60 degrees.

BA
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