The forecast called for a morning overcast, and there were clouds—but there was also sun. And birds. Things are coiling up like a spring, awaiting the sweet release of fall migration.
Notable: a Cooper’s Hawk, a pair of sharpies, three species of corvid, vultures, and a gang of four Red Crossbills atop the summit spruce grove.
Supposed to rain tomorrow, but not early, so a morning hike it will be.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:49 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. Blue Jay** (v) 2. Tufted Titmouse (v) 3. American Crow* 4. Red-eyed Vireo 5. Black-capped Chickadee 6. American Robin (v) 7. Eastern Towhee 8. Gray Catbird** 9. Common Yellowthroat 10. American Goldfinch 11. Cooper’s Hawk 12. Purple Finch (v) 13. Yellow-rumped Warbler 14. Red-breasted Nuthatch 15. Song Sparrow** 16. Sharp-shinned Hawk 17. Common Raven (v) 18. Eastern Wood-pewee (v) 19. Eastern Phoebe 20. Herring Gull* 21. Turkey Vulture 22. Red-bellied Woodpecker (v) 23. Savannah Sparrow 24. Red Crossbill 25. Cedar Waxwing
Elsewhere
25. Mourning Dove
Mammals
Eastern Gray Squirrel Eastern Chipmunk
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
This morning’s early sky was thinly overcast with dappled clouds. A little humid, no wind. Rather quiet, bird-wise, for the most part—but they were still lurking in the leafy periphery and flapping soundlessly overhead.
Another Swainson’s Thrush (same bird?), a good-sized flock of robins, many chickadees, and a gang of roadside turkeys. Plus, a little family of Savannahs (my favorite sparrow).
In eleven days, it’ll be fall.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:15 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. American Crow* 2. Gray Catbird 3. Cedar Waxwing 4. Eastern Towhee 5. Common Yellowthroat 6. Song Sparrow 7. Black-capped Chickadee 8. Blue Jay** 9. American Goldfinch 10. American Robin 11. Red-breasted Nuthatch** 12. Yellow-rumped Warbler 13. Eastern Wood-pewee (v) 14. Brown Creeper (v) 15. Black-and-white Warbler 16. American Redstart 17. Red-eyed Vireo 18. Swainson’s Thrush 19. Savannah Sparrow 20. Osprey 21. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 22. Wild Turkey*
Elsewhere
23. Northern Cardinal 24. Mourning Dove 25. Herring Gull
Mammals
Eastern Gray Squirrel Eastern Chipmunk
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
No clouds in the sky this fair morning, but a light wind blowing from the west. Few birds to start, but it seems at this time of year they’re moving around in the edges, readying for migration.
Most notable? A cooperative Swainson’s Thrush that posed for me. I’ve seen so few of these—maybe four or five, tops—that it’s still a thrill. Especially when I have photographic proof. Also noteworthy: another Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and a little wave of Yellow-rumped Warblers.
Nice species count today. What count might I have tomorrow? I wonder.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:30 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. Northern Flicker (v) 2. American Crow* 3. Red-eyed Vireo 4. Black-capped Chickadee 5. American Robin (v) 6. Cedar Waxwing 7. Red-breasted Nuthatch** 8. Eastern Towhee 9. Gray Catbird 10. Swainson’s Thrush 11. American Goldfinch 12. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher 13. Common Yellowthroat (v) 14. Blue Jay** 15. Yellow-rumped Warbler 16. Eastern Phoebe 17. Song Sparrow 18. Herring Gull* 19. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 20. Yellow Warbler 21. Savannah Sparrow 22. Tufted Titmouse (v) 23. Eastern Wood-pewee (v) 24. Pileated Woodpecker (v)
Elsewhere
25. Mourning Dove
Mammals
Eastern Chipmunk
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
