
Yellow-rumped Warbler.
The ’rumps are back. The Yellow-rumped Warblers, I mean.

American Lady.
There are gazillions of Yellow-rumped Warblers in this hemisphere. Hardy and adaptable, these little migratory passerines are not likely to land on the Endangered Species List any time soon. However, they nest quite a ways north of here, so we only see floods of them during migration—in April and May, for example, when they course through in droves, uttering their distinctive, woody chip! note.
Well, today I came upon a little flock of these chipsters in the spruce stand at the summit of Beech Hill. Youngsters, I think, mostly. But that means one thing: the birds are nervous, and on the move.
I love this latter part of summer, a time of butterflies and dragonflies and cicadas and tentative-sounding tree frogs. The thrill is in the air—the mild panic, the nudge, the certainty of the coming chill. Time’s a wasting, and the yellowrumps are back to remind us.
Many of my friends are lamenting the fact of the first red leaves, the nippy nights, the shortening of the photoperiod. I suppose, since humans crave warmth, it’s a bittersweet time. But I love the invigorating feel of waning summer.

Monarch.
And autumn’s always been my favorite season.
P.S. I saw another monarch today. Could things be looking up?
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 5:30 p.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. American Goldfinch** (v)
2. Cedar Waxwing
3. Common Yellowthroat
4. Gray Catbird (v)
5. Eastern Towhee (v)
6. Yellow-rumped Warbler
7. White-throated Sparrow
8. Purple Finch
9. Savannah Sparrow
10. Song Sparrow
11. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Elsewhere
12. American Crow
13. House Sparrow (v)
14. Laughing Gull
15. Herring Gull
16. Black-capped Chickadee
17. Eastern Wood-pewee (v)
v = Voice only
**Voice only elsewhere