Cool again, but not as breezy and somewhat more humid. [The forecast rain—and a thundershower—came this late afternoon, so tomorrow might be less muggy.] A bunch of interesting bird activity, too—a highlight being the surprise appearance of a juvie Dark-eyed Junco along the wooded trail, hunting assorted insects. It stayed about twenty feet in front of dog and me until, finally, I managed a photo.
Young whitetail buck.
Another highlight—shortly after the junco—came when we surprised a young whitetail buck. He didn’t go far, then froze and checked us out for a bit. Again, a photo.
I’m still astonished not to have found a single deer tick since one tiny one appeared in spring on Jack’s nose. Crazy. (Not that I’m complainin’.)
Beech Hill List Starting at 7:07 a.m. EST (8:07 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. Red-eyed Vireo 2. Hermit Thrush 3. Blue Jay 4. American Goldfinch 5. Black-throated Green Warbler 6. Hairy Woodpecker 7. Eastern Wood-pewee 8. Northern Flicker 9. Tufted Titmouse 10. Black-capped Chickadee 11. White-breasted Nuthatch 12. American Crow 13. Ovenbird 14. Dark-eyed Junco 15. Red-bellied Woodpecker 16. Eastern Towhee 17. Alder Flycatcher 18. Gray Catbird 19. American Robin 20. Cedar Waxwing 21. Song Sparrow 22. Common Yellowthroat 23. Purple Finch 24. Mourning Dove 25. Red-shouldered Hawk 26. Turkey Vulture 27. Yellow Warbler 28. Barn Swallow 29. Chestnut-sided Warbler 30. Blue-headed Vireo
Last night’s soaking rain sure enough cooled things down a lot and got rid of the recent humidity. Jack had a much easier time of this morning’s hike—as, I suppose, did I.
But there were fewer flying insects. Perhaps that’s why things were so quiet, bird-wise. Fewer species on my list than in many weeks. But a couple of noteworthy ones: Wood Thrush, Herring Gull, Barn Swallow.
Also, in a chance meeting, I had a nice long chat with three long-time friends I hadn’t seen (or talked to) in a while. Kind of the day’s highlight.
Unless, of course, you count the handsome Eastern Coyote that showed up in the yard this early morning.
Beech Hill List Starting at 6:56 a.m. EST (7:56 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. Red-eyed Vireo (v) 2. Black-throated Green Warbler (v) 3. American Goldfinch** 4. Wood Thrush (v) 5. Eastern Towhee 6. Tufted Titmouse (v) 7. Cedar Waxwing 8. Eastern Wood-pewee (v) 9. Black-capped Chickadee** 10. American Crow* 11. Gray Catbird 12. Yellow Warbler (v) 13. Herring Gull* 14. Song Sparrow* 15. Barn Swallow 16. American Robin* 17. Blue Jay (v) 18. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 19. Common Yellowthroat (v)
Elsewhere
20. Mourning Dove 21. Osprey 22. House Sparrow 23. Ruby-throated Hummingbird 24. Laughing Gull 25. Rock Dove
Mammals
Eastern Coyote
Reptiles
Garter Snake
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
Another warm and humid one, but with a bit more breeze. A mostly clear sky early, with fine light for photos. The birds were cooperative enough that I managed a few decent shots—including a fair pic of a juvenile Veery.
Notable was a one hummingbird near the summit—and a quick tramp down the Erickson Fields trail, which had cooler temps and more shade.
It’s raining as I write this, which should lessen the humidity tomorrow.
Beech Hill List Starting at 6:56 a.m. EST (7:56 DST), I hiked all trails, and then some.
