American crow at breakfast.

Sunny and crisp this morning. Decided to head up Beech Hill early, because I knew the overnight freeze would’ve hardened up the surface of the snowpack—but that a day full of sunshine might well loosen it up later, making for frustrating passage. Was right, too. Jack and I moved up and down fast. I counted a few birds while there.

Chickadees are singing their spring love song, as was a cardinal back home this morning. You can feel it in the air.

Tomorrow will be rainy, they say, and my mind doesn’t stray far from the promise of woodcocks.

Beech Hill List
Beginning at 11 a.m., I hiked the open trail.

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

Elsewhere

5. House Finch (v)
6. Northern Cardinal (v)
7. Mourning Dove

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