This morning dog and I hiked a calm, cool quiet, early autumn trail. Migration was going on—many yellow-rumps, a kinglet, White-throated Sparrows—but after four sweet days on an island, it felt mostly like being back amid close family.
Best family photo? A close-up of a resident chickadee.
[On our morning hike, I dropped my Garmin device. Didn’t notice till we got back to the truck. So in afternoon, I went back without Jack—and, by golly, someone had found it and left it on a bench at the hut. Added a raven.]
Beech Hill List Starting at 8:03 a.m. EST (9:03 DST) and again at 1:09 (2:09), I hiked all trails.
I hiked the hill twice today—once with dog and a second time leading a friendly a birding group. What with the chill and breeze, not a lot of birds showed up—but both hikes were well worth it in this new young lovely fall.
Beech Hill List Starting at 7:18 a.m. EST (8:18 DST) and again at 8:30 (9:30), I hiked all trails.
1. Tufted Titmouse 2. Black-capped Chickadee** (v) 3. Yellow-rumped Warbler 4. American Goldfinch (v) 5. American Crow* (v) 6. Common Yellowthroat (v) 7. Eastern Towhee (v) 8. Blue Jay (v) 9. Turkey Vulture
Elsewhere
10. Mallard 11. Herring Gull
Mammals
White-tailed Deer
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
This morning felt fall-like (which I guess makes sense, since it’s autumn): chilly, breezy, a little pungent, with a mostly blue sky above and a few fallen leaves below. Not many bird species today—although the Horned Lark was joined by another one today—and few numbers, just one or two of each.
Except for the Black-capped Chickadee. I saw and/or heard eight of those happy little year-round guys. Summer’s gone, but the chickadees are still out and about.
No wonder it’s Maine’s state bird.
Beech Hill List Starting at 7:17 a.m. EST (8:17 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. Black-capped Chickadee** 2. Northern Flicker (v) 3. White-breasted Nuthatch** (v) 4. Common Raven (v) 5. American Crow* (v) 6. Horned Lark 7. Song Sparrow 8. American Goldfinch (v) 9. Blue Jay** 10. Gray Catbird
