Archive for April, 2023
Thursday, April 27th, 2023
American Robin (with nest materials). Around here, May is the month when things really start hoppin’. At least that’s been my observation over the past few decades. It’s why I timed my move with Jack back to Maine at the end of April a year ago. And today you could really tell it’s nearly May.
For one thing, the robins are nesting. For another a pair of Broad-winged Hawks flew over. And another: a Winter Wren in the woodlands, along with some Blue-headed Vireos .
We’re expecting a patch of rain, but thereafter will come our wave of sweet-singing warblers and other species.
I was about to write “I can hardly wait”—but I’m a patient man: I can wait.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:01 a.m. real time (8:01 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. Chipping Sparrow
Mammals
Eastern Gray Squirrel
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere †First-of-year
Tags: American crow , American goldfinch , American robin , black-capped chickadee , blue jay , blue-headed vireo , broad-winged hawk , brown creeper , Canada goose , chipping sparrow , common loon , downy woodpecker , eastern bluebird , eastern gray squirrel , eastern phoebe , eastern towhee , field sparrow , hairy woodpecker , hermit thrush , herring gull , mourning dove , northern cardinal , purple finch , red-winged blackbird , savannah sparrow , song sparrow , tree swallow , tufted titmouse , turkey vulture , winter wren , yellow-rumped warbler Lists , Observations , Photo | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 26th, 2023
Common Raven. Another in a series of gray, wet, foggy mornings for dog and me. But what might’ve seemed an uneventful hike soon began to bear fruit.
And by the end of it, I had twenty-seven species on my list (took another hike with another guest dog in afternoon and added a twenty-eighth species), although no first-of years.
Still it was a cool and memorable day.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:01 a.m. real time (8:01 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. Eastern Towhee
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere †First-of-year
Tags: American crow , American goldfinch , American robin , black-capped chickadee , brown-headed cowbird , chipping sparrow , common raven , eastern bluebird , eastern phoebe , eastern towhee , field sparrow , hermit thrush , herring gull , mourning dove , northern cardinal , northern flicker , purple finch , red-bellied woodpecker , red-breasted nuthatch , red-winged blackbird , ruby-crowned kinglet , ruffed grouse , savannah sparrow , song sparrow , turkey vulture , white-breasted nuthatch , wild turkey , yellow-rumped warbler Lists , Observations , Photo | No Comments »
Tuesday, April 25th, 2023
Glimpse of Tufted Titmouse. A day very much like yesterday—but without yesterday’s rain. This morning, dog and I encountered water in the form of a thick fog (and streams running down the trails). But unlike yesterday, birds were vocal and active.
Never would I have imagined I’d end with more than two dozen species on my list. No first-of-year species, but everything from a Mallard (voice only, flying over) to a first-of-year-singing Savannah Sparrow (my favorite sparrow).
The sparrow was especially fun. I simply love its sibilant, insect-like song—which carries so far. Even in a thick fog.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:02 a.m. real time (8:02 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. Tufted Titmouse**
Elsewhere
26. Herring Gull
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere †First-of-year
Tags: American crow , American robin , black-capped chickadee , brown-headed cowbird , chipping sparrow , dark-eyed junco , downy woodpecker , eastern bluebird , eastern phoebe , eastern towhee , field sparrow , hermit thrush , herring gull , mallard , northern cardinal , northern flicker , purple finch , red-bellied woodpecker , red-breasted nuthatch , red-winged blackbird , rock pigeon , savannah sparrow , song sparrow , tufted titmouse , white-breasted nuthatch , wild turkey , yellow-rumped warbler Lists , Observations , Photo | No Comments »
Bird Report is a (sometimes intermittent) record of the birds I encounter while hiking, see while driving, or spy outside my window. —Brian Willson
