White-breasted Nuthatch.

Overcast and mid-teens and not as breezy as the past couple days. At least that’s what I thought until—after a fruitful morning of doing errands—Jack and I headed up Beech Hill at high noon.

American Goldfinch.

We were alone on the hill for the forty-five minutes or so we were up there. Alone but for a few birds (all of them well away from the open summit). Elsewhere, along the roads and in the yards and sheltered harbors, were plenty of birds. Ducks, gulls, pigeons, titmice, finches. Above us, while I drove, I noticed a red-tail circling.

A few hundred miles south of here, millions of people are contending with a massive blizzard. We’re not expecting any snow for a week or more.

Beech Hill List
Beginning at 12 p.m., I hiked the open trail.

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

Elsewhere

6. American Goldfinch
7. Rock Pigeon
8. Herring Gull
9. Mallard
10. Red-tailed Hawk

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

Signs of a Pileated Woodpecker.