Cedar waxwings.
I haven’t really kept good track of exactly what’s going on with exactly which bird species during this busy ol’ early summer season. Oh, I’ve offered a few guesses, sure—written a few ephemeral opinions, waxed poetic. But some antic flocks of Beech Hill waxwings today really got me thinking.
Chestnut-sided warbler.
And what a lovely day! Warm, but not too warm. Breezy, but not too breezy. Plenty of clouds—but what amazing clouds. Jack and I didn’t get out early, but we couldn’t delay our daily hike beyond midday. I was surprised to find no vehicles in the parking lot when we turned in. I was even a little surprised to hear so much birdsong right away, considering it was high noon. The greenery rang with the calls of all the usual suspects, including those that’d been quiet lately. Catbirds were singing especially loudly from perches here and there.
The very same chestnut-sided warbler as yesterday again accosted us as we slowed on the trail near its nest. It held a few small green caterpillars in its beak, flitting from twig to twig. Soon after, we spooked a mourning dove.
Then as we arrived at the upper fields, the waxwings caught my attention. Small flocks, maybe a half-dozen each, perching briefly in trees or low bushes before all taking off at once and circling together in the sun. I must’ve counted a dozen of these flocks, all behaving the same way. When we crept near one of them on the open trail and I got a look at some young-looking birds, it occurred to me these were families all flying around together. The juveniles must’ve fledged and flown when I began seeing them a few days ago, and now they were learning the ropes.
Savannah sparrow.
So now I’ve made a mental note: the first week of summer, the last week in June, be on the lookout for waxwings.
Chestnut-sideds may still be feeding nestlings—as are the yellowthroats and phoebes—but I bet their nests are about to go empty. Towhees’ already have, I know. As have house finches’. And returning through a berry bramble, I got a look at what I think was a fledging veery, so thrushes must not be far behind.
We met many hikers and dogs today. I had a few nice conversations. But my preoccupation was nests and fledglings. I’ll keep better track next year.
In afternoon, I went out cycling. Had a nice, long, fast bike ride. At one point I saw four vultures circling. A reminder—carpe diem.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 12 p.m., I hiked all trails.
1. Red-eyed vireo* (v)
2. Ovenbird (v)
3. Veery
4. Chestnut-sided warbler*
5. Common yellowthroat*
6. Gray catbird*
7. American redstart*
8. Mourning dove*
9. Cedar waxwing*
10. Black-capped chickadee (v)
11. American crow* (v)
12. Yellow warbler* (v)
13. Song sparrow*
14. Hairy woodpecker (v)
15. Hermit thrush* (v)
16. Eastern towhee
17. Eastern wood-pewee (v)
18. American robin* (v)
19. Common raven (v)
20. Eastern phoebe
21. Savannah sparrow
22. Herring gull*
23. Field sparrow
24. Black-and-white warbler (v)
25. House finch*
26. Black-throated green warbler* (v)
27. Alder flycatcher (v)
28. Rose-breasted grosbeak (v)
29. American goldfinch*
30. White-breasted nuthatch (v)
31. Black-throated blue warbler (v)
Elsewhere
32. Northern cardinal (v)
33. House sparrow (v)
34. Turkey vulture
35. Chipping sparrow (v)
36. Tufted titmouse (v)
v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
The inland hills.
Tags: alder flycatcher, American crow, American goldfinch, American redstart, American robin, black-and-white warbler, black-capped chickadee, black-throated blue warbler, black-throated green warbler, Cedar waxwing, chestnut-sided warbler, chipping sparrow, common raven, common yellowthroat, eastern phoebe, eastern towhee, eastern wood-pewee, field sparrow, gray catbird, hairy woodpecker, hermit thrush, herring gull, house finch, house sparrow, mourning dove, northern cardinal, ovenbird, red-eyed vireo, rose-breasted grosbeak, savannah sparrow, song sparrow, tufted titmouse, turkey vulture, veery, white-breasted nuthatch, yellow warbler
