10 December 2024

Archive for January, 2014

Flock of robins

Friday, January 31st, 2014
Iced trail, Beech Hill Preserve, Rockport, Maine, 31 January 2014.

Iced trail.

Somewhat warmer, somewhat overcast. Worked a bunch then broke away for a hike with dog.

One vehicle in the Beech Hill parking lot, but its two occupants were just returning with two dogs, so we waited for them to leave before we took to the icy trail. Heard a few of the usual birds, saw chickadees. A breeze up there. Above freezing but chilly—more chilly, truth be told, than if it were equidistant below freezing.

Lovely light. No owl. But as we were just getting back to the truck, I heard—then saw—a flock of robins on the wing.

Beech Hill List
Beginning at 3:15 p.m., I hiked the open trail.

1. Black-capped chickadee
2. American crow* (v)
3. Northern flicker (v)
4. American robin

Elsewhere

5. Herring gull

v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere

The next season

Thursday, January 30th, 2014
Tease, Beech Hill Preserve, Rockport, Maine, 30 January 2014.

Tease.

Sun came up a little earlier this morning. Still cold, though.

When I took dog out first thing, I heard a cardinal singing across the road. Like, really singing—loudly, passionately, declaratively. That’s usually a spring sound, but spring’s a good seven weeks away.

Sundown, Beech Hill Preserve, Rockport, Maine, 30 January 2014.

Sundown.

Did some desk work, did some tote-stuff-around work. Finally took a break for a late hike with Jack.

Nippy, breezy, icy. If it weren’t for the one raven croak I heard as we ascended, it wouild’ve also been birdless. But the sky was nice, the walk fine, the air bracing. I even noticed what looked remarkably like a budding pussy willow.

Nature can be such a tease.

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

1. Common Raven (v)

Elsewhere

2. Northern Cardinal
3. American Crow
4. Herring Gull

v = Voice only

 

Icy

Wednesday, January 29th, 2014
Bay View.

Bay View, from Beech Hill Preserve, Rockport, Maine, 29 January 2014.

An icy Beech Hill trail today—but I didn’t fall down like I did yesterday.

Beech Hill List
Beginning at 3:30 p.m., I hiked the open trail.

1. Black-capped Chickadee
2. American Crow
3. Herring Gull

*Also elsewhere

 

 
Bird Report is a (sometimes intermittent) record of the birds I encounter while hiking, see while driving, or spy outside my window. —Brian Willson



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