Beech Nut.
Last day of the calendar year, and a lovely one it was. Plenty of sun, fairly moderate temperatures, not a lot of wind—at least not until Jack and I found ourselves atop Beech Hill late in the day. Running around town, I saw quite a few common winter species (and heard a goldfinch). On the hill, some little birds were flitting around, and I watched a lone flicker making the rounds down the eastern slope. The recent snowfall had packed down tight enough for easy walking in snowshoes—or on dog paws.
Frozen wave.
We met a little family on the trail, in fact, among them two kiddos climbing great drifts. The wind had carved shapes and patterns in the snow.
Tonight is pretty nippy but fairly still. The last stars of 2012 are shining.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 3 p.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. Black-capped chickadee**
2. Northern flicker
3. White-breasted nuthatch (v)
4. Brown creeper
Elsewhere
5. American crow
6. American goldfinch (v)
7. Herring gull
8. Rock pigeon
9. Ring-billed gull
10. Mourning dove
v = Voice only
**Voice only elsewhere
