Alder flycatcher.
When you think about Paradise, what crosses your mind? Is there a checklist? Sunshine, picturesque skies, calm seas, sweet fruit ripe for the picking? That’s pretty much how this day unfolded here on the 44th parallel.
Blueberries.
Not too hot, not too cold. The sun warming, breezes cooling. Sailboats out on the bay, and ospreys circling above it. A lush, green landscape everywhere. Just about a perfect day for strolling, sitting outside, hiking the hills, cycling along the shore. I did all that—well, except sitting outside (unless you count sitting on a bicycle seat). I found myself mostly in motion.
Wandered down to Clam Cove early, where I heard an osprey cry. Took a long bicycle ride up around through Camden and back. Hiked our favorite hill with Jack, my dog.
Counted seventeen birds up there today—a prime number, thanks to the catbird I finally heard just before we made it back down. No veeries, no chestnut-sided warblers, no Savannah sparrows. Got a good look at an alder flycatcher, though. And plucked and ate both high- and lowbush blueberries. The open slopes were blue with berries, the grasses swayed in the fragrant air.
Sure, there were deer flies down in the wooded sections, but they didn’t bother us much. At one point on the trail, Jack alerted, so right away we stopped. I didn’t see the turkey until it lumbered into flight and took off through the trees.
Fern.
Something about the cool shade, the sun-dappled ferns, the voices of the hermit thrushes—I could imagine Paradise turning out to be like today.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 4:30 p.m., I hiked the wooded trails.
1. Red-eyed vireo (v)
2. American goldfinch* (v)
3. Common yellowthroat
4. Black-capped chickadee (v)
5. American robin*
6. Eastern towhee
7. Cedar waxwing*
8. Herring gull*
9. Northern cardinal* (v)
10. Osprey*
11. Hermit thrush (v)
12. Alder flycatcher
13. Song sparrow*
14. American crow*
15. Wild turkey
16. Black-throated green warbler (v)
17. Gray catbird (v)
Elsewhere
18. House finch (v)
19. House sparrow (v)
20. Rock pigeon
21. Tufted titmouse (v)
22. Canada goose
23. Chipping sparrow (v)
24. Mourning dove
v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
Tags: alder flycatcher, American crow, American goldfinch, American robin, black-capped chickadee, black-throated green warbler, Canada goose, Cedar waxwing, chipping sparrow, common yellowthroat, eastern towhee, gray catbird, hermit thrush, herring gull, house finch, house sparrow, mourning dove, northern cardinal, osprey, red-eyed vireo, rock pigeon, song sparrow, tufted titmouse, wild turkey
