Unidentified species.

This morning, soon after the rain, the hillsides quickly warmed to unseasonable temperatures. Jack and I encountered a big yellow bus in the parking lot, and a sign on the way up—which confused me, since it referred to Wednesday, the 18th—alerting hikers to an aerial photography class by Maine Media Workshops. On the summit, we found the flooring crew about to start laying tile in Beech Nut.

Yellow-rumped Warbler.

The students from the bus were older, friendly, and taking notes on the natural world of Beech Hill. I cautioned one about this tick-crazy fall, and she looked down and immediately found a couple crawling on her. A second student showed up, one who had just been out in the brush—he plucked probably two dozen off himself.

Three or four drones were buzzing above us. Then dogs showed up. And a young model in a white dress.

I cannot remember a more bizarre hour out of the thousands I’ve spent on the hill. High entertainment, for sure.

Few birds, though.

Beech Hill List
Beginning at 8:45 a.m., I hiked the open trail.

1. Blue Jay (v)
2. American Robin (v)
3. Black-capped Chickadee**
4. Yellow-rumped Warbler
5. Purple Finch
6. American Crow*
7. Northern Flicker
8. Eastern Towhee (v)
9. White-throated Sparrow  (v)
10. White-breasted Nuthatch (v)

Elsewhere

11. Herring Gull
12. Rock Pigeon

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

Apparition.