Similar morning to yesterday’s—but a bit chillier, with a light breeze. Quiet at first but exciting as my hike with dog proceeded (as has been the case on recent days). At least sixty yellow-rumps, bluebirds, nuthatches, sparrows, a random phoebe—and my favorite sparrow at the summit on our return.
If you’ve been following, you know I love Savannah Sparrows—their subdued-yet-tidy attire, their insect-like trill (with a hiccup at the end), just their general behavior (e.g., not as shy as a Song Sparrow).
The little Savannah at the end just made my day.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:\46 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. American Crow** 2. Yellow-rumped Warbler 3. White-breasted Nuthatch** 4. Hairy Woodpecker 5. Eastern Bluebird (v) 6. Black-capped Chickadee 7. Blue Jay (v) 8. Gray Catbird 9. Eastern Towhee (V) 10. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v) 11. American Robin 12. Northern Flicker 13. Hermit Thrush 14. American Goldfinch 15. Dark-eyed Junco (v) 16. White-throated Sparrow* 17. Song Sparrow 18. Common Yellowthroat 19. Purple Finch (v) 20. Eastern Phoebe 21. Savannah Sparrow
Yet nippier this morning under clear blue skies. Slight breeze. Quiet in the woodlands—but birds were flitting about in the trees’ still-clinging leaves. But this is the season of low-key migration. Birds moving urgently over and through the landscape, but keenly aware of the dangers. You have to use your eyes as well as your ears.
Notable were the scores of Yellow-rumped Warblers moving through—by far the most abundant species. (And the only warbler.) Also, a pair of ravens flew over. Two nuthatch species. A couple bluebirds.
Perhaps it is my favorite season because of the subtlety—the lurking about, the laying low. Fall birding is a fun challenge, and a rewarding one.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:38 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. Yellow-rumped Warbler 2. American Goldfinch 3. Ruby-crowned Kinglet (v) 4. Hairy Woodpecker 5. Common Raven 6. American Robin 7. Black-capped Chickadee 8. Blue Jay (v) 9. Gray Catbird (v) 10. American Crow* 11. Brown Creeper 12. Eastern Towhee (v) 13. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v) 14. White-throated Sparrow 15. Dark-eyed Junco 16. Northern Flicker 17. Purple Finch 18. Eastern Bluebird (v) 19. Song Sparrow 20. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 21. Tufted Titmouse (v) 22. Red-eyed Vireo
Elsewhere
23. Herring Gull 24. Northern Cardinal (v)
Mammals
Eastern Gray Squirrel
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
Again nippy with partial sun, but rather windy when dog and I headed up the hill. With the loudly rustling leaves, it was hard to make out the voices of the birds in the woods—but I followed a couple pods of chickadees, who were (as often is the case) companied by quiet little warblers. Also vireos.
Four warbler spp., three corvid spp., two vireo spp, a pair of Sharp-shinned Hawks, an Osprey, and the southbound flight of three geese. Plus a raven—and another Swainson’s Thrush. (Growing to like the species a lot.)
I wonder what tomorrow will bring.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 8:20 a.m., I hiked all trails.
