A warm day, a muddy trail, not too much wind, not too awful many birds—but a few! The only species to pose for me was a chickadee, and it turned away. But there were crossbills, and a siskin. And a lovely sky over the bay.
I truly loved this last morning of 2022.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 8:14 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. Tufted Titmouse (v) 2. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 3. Black-capped Chickadee** 4. American Goldfinch 5. American Crow* 6. Red Crossbill 7. Common Raven 8. Pine Siskin (v) 9. Hairy Woodpecker (v)
Elsewhere
10. Herring Gull
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
Warmer this morning—above freezing and calm, with a mostly blue sky and melting ice on the trail. Such conditions brought more birds out, so it took a while for us to climb through the trees. (I, stopping to listen and shoot photos, Jack, stopping to sniff and pee.)
Up and over, and I had eleven species, but no bluebirds or yellow-rumps, which I kind of expected to see. I even vocalized this minor lament—about five minutes before a dozen of each species appeared.
Called ’em out, I guess.
A bit of rain coming tomorrow, I hear. And temps soon entering the 50s (F).
P.S. Oh, yeah—today was my birthday.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 8:14 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. Common Raven 2. Tufted Titmouse 3. Black-capped Chickadee 4. White-breasted Nuthatch** (v) 5. Hairy Woodpecker (v) 6. American Goldfinch (v) 7. American Crow* (v) 8. Brown Creeper 9. House Finch (v) 10. Northern Cardinal 11. Red-breasted Nuthatch 12. Eastern Bluebird 13. Yellow-rumped Warbler 14. Red Crossbill (v)
Elsewhere
15. Herring Gull 16. Mallard
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
A glorious morning with a mostly overcast sky, clouds coming and going, not too chilly, fairly calm, few bird species—bluebirds, tits, a flicker—but a noteworthy sighting nonetheless: a Snowshoe Hare in winter garb.
I saw a couple-three hares last spring when first dog and I began again to hike Beech Hill—not too shy, either—but they were wearing brown coats. There’s just something about the white fur of a critter with “snow” in its name. In fact, I saw it up ahead, crossing the trail, and thought it’d probably high-tailed it into the woods. But in a glance that way I happened to spot it under a clump little fallen trees. Just staring at us, posing.
So I took its picture.
Then, on our way home, I happened to see a red-tail alighting in a tree along the road. Pulled over, enabled my flashers, and took its picture, too.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 8:32 a.m., I hiked all trails.
