Purple Finch (female).

Saturday, errand day. I got busy early, took care of chores, and still dog and I managed to hit Beech Hill before noon. A hazy sun, muggy 70s (F). Hardly any obvious birds—but they were around.

Waxwing dream.

Not until we got to the summit was there much activity at all, in fact. Moseyed over into the spruce grove and heard a the chip of Yellow-rumped Warbler, as it left a branch and flew down the eastern trail a bit. I thought I might catch a glimpse, so we headed down to the rocky overlook, and I began psh-ing a little. Right away a female Purple Finch appeared, vocalizing, clearly alarmed. And then, as we stood there, a Red-eyed Vireo appeared, and an Alder Flycatcher. Even a hummingbird zipped by and took a look at what all the fuss was about.

I also got a look at what at first I thought was a monarch butterfly, but it turned out to be a viceroy.

A cool evening, a full moon evening. In fact, as I write this, the moon is 99.999952234443% full according to this website I made a while ago.

Beech Hill List
Beginning at 11:15 a.m, I hiked the open trail.

1. Gray Catbird**
2. American Crow* (v)
3. Black-capped Chickadee** (v)
4. American Goldfinch (v)
5. Cedar Waxwing
6. Eastern Towhee (v)
7. Yellow-rumped Warbler
8. Purple Finch
9. Red-eyed Vireo
10. Alder Flycatcher
11. Ruby-throated Hummingbird
12. Savannah Sparrow

Elsewhere

13. Blue Jay (v)
14. Herring Gull
15. Mourning Dove
16. Sharp-shinned Hawk

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