9 February 2025

Archive for March, 2015

Kind of cold

Saturday, March 28th, 2015
American Crow, Beech Hill Preserve, Rockport, Maine, 28 March 2015.

American Crow.

This was kind of a cold one. It even ended up spitting a little snow there for a minute. Might explain why Jack and I were the only human and dog at Beech Hill Preserve when we hiked the hill last this afternoon. At least the deep snow had crusted over, so walking was a lot easier than it was yesterday. Gray, with a hazy sun hanging faintly in the sky, headed down.

Spring icicles, Beech Hill Preserve, Rockport, Maine, 28 March 2015.

Spring icicles.

This morning, when I took Jack out first thing, I saw a little flock of crows flying fast away toward the east, and I saw what they were flying toward, and it was a hawk. The hawk, getting annoyed, veered over in our direction and flew directly overhead, crows dive-bombing it—even one hollering Herring Gull was dive-bombing it. Wished I’d had my camera. (Sometimes I take it out first thing, too, just in case.) What that told me is hawks are moving northward—as this one was—in kind of a leisurely fashion, as they do in spring.

No woodcocks yet, though.

Beech Hill List
Beginning at 4:15 p.m., I hiked the open trail.

1. Mourning Dove
2. American Crow*
3. Northern Flicker
4. American Robin*

Elsewhere

5. Herring Gull
6. Red-tailed Hawk
7. Rock Pigeon
8. Mallard

v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere

 

Soon, woodcocks

Friday, March 27th, 2015
Tufted Titmouse, Beech Hill Preserve, Rockport, Maine, 27 March 2015.

Tufted Titmouse.

A gray, mildish day of work and a little play. On our Beech Hill hike today, Jack and I kept breaking through the softening snow pack—there still being at least two feet of pack on much of the trail, I bet we used as much energy as two hikes up a snow-free hill. But that’s OK. No broken legs or twisted ankles.

Quite a few birds up there, including a titmouse that has a very complex, musical, engaging song. For a moment I wondered if I might not be listening to a vagrant species, even, but no. Just a talented titmouse.

It’s that time of year when you can feel your spirits rise—never mind that it’s gray and leafless and chilly outside. The gulls and crows were more vocal today than they’ve been since last fall probably.

Still no woodcocks, but soon.

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

1. Black-capped Chickadee
2. Tufted Titmouse
3. White-breasted Nuthatch (v)
4. Downy Woodpecker (v)
5. American Crow*
6. American Robin*
7. Mourning Dove (v)

Elsewhere

8. Herring Gull
9. House Finch (v)

v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere

Tick season

Thursday, March 26th, 2015
Song Sparrow, Beech Hill Preserve, Rockport, Maine, 26 March 2015.

Song Sparrow.

Met a small, flitty, secretive Song Sparrow at Beech Nut today. The bird seemed impossibly slim and fleet—but that’s only because it was surely determined to completely disappear in the brown grass. Birds are skittish that way when they first arrive north in spring.

Pussy willow, Beech Hill Preserve, Rockport, Maine, 26 March 2015.

Pussy willow.

Also saw a great flock of grackles circling a leafless hardwood that they ended up perching in. I was in my truck, at a stop sign.

Drippy today, but luscious.

I never imagined I’d be so joyful at the arrival of tick season.

Beech Hill List
Beginning at 4:30 p.m., I hiked the open trail.

1. Northern Flicker
2. Tufted Titmouse (v)
3. Black-capped Chickadee**
4. Downy Woodpecker
5. White-breasted Nuthatch
6. Red-breasted Nuthatch
7. Northern Cardinal*
8. American Crow (v)
9. Song Sparrow†

Elsewhere

10. House Finch (v)
11. Herring Gull
12. Mourning Dove
13. Common Grackle†

v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
†First-of-year bird

 

 
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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