13 November 2024

Archive for February, 2016

February cycling

Monday, February 29th, 2016
Black-capped Chickadee, Beech Hill Preserve, Rockport, Maine, 29 February 2016.

Black-capped Chickadee.

A mostly overcast Leap Day. Also a temperature that began in the 40s (F)—when first I looked—and wound up well into the 50s. Thus, my decision to ride my bicycle around for the first time this year. And, I might add, the first time in February in Maine. It wasn’t a long ride (seven or eight miles), but it was a delicious one. Made my legs hurt so good.

Jack and I took a lonesome hike up Beech Hill late. Met just one other hiker as we came back down. Few birds, but warm enough that I might well have done without a sweatshirt.

The air smells good tonight. Stars up there.

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

1. Black-capped Chickadee
2. White-breasted Nuthatch**
3. American Crow*

Elsewhere

4. Blue Jay (v)
5. Tufted Titmouse (v)
6. Downy Woodpecker (v)
7. Mourning Dove (v)
8. House Finch
9. Herring Gull
10. Dark-eyed Junco (v)
11. Bohemian Waxwing (v)
12. Rock Pigeon
13. House Sparrow

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

 

Juncos

Sunday, February 28th, 2016
Dark-eyed Junco, near Mount Battie, Camden, Maine, 28 February 2016.

Dark-eyed Junco.

A warm, lovely morning. Couldn’t help taking off early with Jack. Hiked Beech Hill at 10 with only one other hiker, few birds, gorgeous views, fresh air, warm-colored hillsides.

Song Sparrow, near Mount Battie, Camden, Maine, 28 February 2016.

Song Sparrow.

Later, back home, a bunch of random birds showed up and began flitting around the back yard: waxwings, juncos, even a Song Sparrow. Red and gray squirrels running around, two chipmunks chasing each other. The temperature approached 50 degrees (F).

Tomorrow is leap day—one more day of February, and it feels like spring.

Beech Hill List
Beginning at 10 a.m., I hiked the open trail.

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

Elsewhere

6. Blue Jay (v)
7. Downy Woodpecker (v)
8. House Finch (v)
9. Cedar Waxwing
10. Dark-eyed Junco
11. Song Sparrow
12. Herring Gull
13. Rock Pigeon
14. House Sparrow

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

Raven and chickadee

Saturday, February 27th, 2016
Black-capped Chickadee, Beech Hill Preserve, Rockport, Maine, 27 February 2016.

Black-capped Chickadee.

Sub-freezing today. Bright. Not as windy as yesterday. Jack and I took a morning hike.

Common Raven, Beech Hill Preserve, Rockport, Maine, 27 February 2016.

Common Raven.

Met a few people returning when we showed up about 11, but they were the only ones on this glorious Saturday while we were there. My GoPro camera pooped out—the battery’s been having problems—but that’s all right. Right after it happened, I saw a raven. The raven let out a few of its strange deep liquid burbles before winging its way down the valley, as the resident ravens do.

On our return, I came upon a little pod of chickadees. One sat feet away and checked us out. Hard to get a photo of a bird that close with my little superzoom.

Tonight is cool and fresh and sweet and springlike and calm.

Beech Hill List
Beginning at 11 a.m.

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

Elsewhere

7. Mourning Dove
8. American Goldfinch
9. Herring Gull
10. Rock Pigeon

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

 

 
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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