I have a feeling I’ve begun a post this way more than once before, but what a difference a day makes. Maybe the chilly air—upper-40s (F) first thing—or a favorable overnight wind direction, but what a bright and birdy morning greeted dog and me as we headed up the wooded trail.
Two kinglet species, four woodpecker species, ever-present yellow-rumps, another Swainson’s Thrush, a random junco.
But the highlight of this hike was our chance encounter—on the upper wooded trail—with a trio of Red-eyed Vireos. They were plucking berries in the yellowish vegetation just feet from the trail, and in the morning light I was convinced they were Philadelphia Vireos, a species I hadn’t seen in years. But an expert bird ID friend saw my photo caption and set me straight.
Ever educational, this birding thing.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:54 a.m., I hiked all trails.
Had appointments this morning, my return hike to Beech Hill with dog didn’t happen until late morning. Didn’t expect too many bird species; didn’t encounter too many. However, I encountered a lot of birds.
Mainly that’s because of the numbers of Yellow-rumped Warblers. (I settled on 30 individuals, but I believe that’s rather low.) Also had at least a dozen White-throated Sparrows—probably more like sixteen. And a goodly number of chickadees.
In just the five days were were on Monhegan, the color of the landscape has changed—much more yellowish, with reds in the fringes. It’s happening.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 11:14 a.m., I hiked all trails.
