Black-capped chickadee.

I awoke to steady rain. After a while, the rain let up, but the day remained drippy and overcast. Chilly, but not too bad. Not a lot of bird activity in the immediate vicinity—or maybe that’s because there was plenty of indoor activity to keep me occupied.

Beech Hill trail.

Until, finally, late in the day, when dog joined me for a little ride. As we headed out on an errand, I couldn’t help but notice a clearing in western sky. By the time we pulled into the Beech Hill parking lot about half an hour later, I had my sunglasses on. Between dark clouds, great swaths of blue let sunlight through that set the October hillsides ablaze.

As we got out of the car, the wind hit us. A strong, cold wind. But within two minutes of walking, I’d already added four species to today’s list. Little birds were flitting about in the young trailside trees—yellow-rumps, chickadees, and a cluster of ruby-crowned kinglets—and a nuthatch called nearby. The ruby-crowneds seemed particularly active (although they’re active little birds generally): stood for maybe five minutes attempting a decent photo, considering how close they were. Got a few shots of the back of one.

A chickadee was more cooperative.

Up the colorful hill, the chill wind roared. I pulled my hands up into my sweatshirt sleeves. Gorgeous landscape. Couldn’t hear a thing. But I did spot a single song sparrow up by Beech Nut. But, returning, somehow, I did manage to hear the screams of a blue jay.

Ruby-crowned kinglet.

Seems odd, considering the wild air of late afternoon, that it’s perfectly still out there tonight, a starry one.

Beech Hill List
Beginning at 4:45 p.m., I hiked the open trail.

1. Yellow-rumped warbler
2. Black-capped chickadee*
3. Ruby-crowned kinglet
4. White-breasted nuthatch (v)
5. Song sparrow
6. Blue jay** (v)

Elsewhere

7. American crow
8. Herring gull
9. American robin (v)

v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere