Song sparrow.
Toward the end of an overcast day, it started to rain a little, so I checked the weather radar. Bigger rain coming. Didn’t dawdle—changed into hiking shoes, grabbed Jack’s leash, hooked him up, grabbed a raincoat, headed for Beech Hill.
Barely dripping when we started up the open trail. White-throated sparrows making noises in the undergrowth around the parking lot. The chips of yellow-rumps. Began to rain a little steadier as we began to climb.
A jay in the distance. A song sparrow up ahead. A friendly couple in raincoats at Beech Nut. We lingered so I could photograph the sparrow.
A towhee in the distance. A flicker in the distance. More song sparrows on the way down. Really raining now.
As we neared the parking lot, I heard a cardinal. Then I saw the bird—a male.
Odd that I didn’t see a herring gull today that I recall.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 4 p.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. White-throated sparrow (v)
2. Yellow-rumped warbler
3. Blue jay (v)
4. Song sparrow
5. Eastern towhee (v)
6. Northern flicker (v)
7. American crow* (v)
8. Northern cardinal
Elsewhere
9. Black-capped chickadee (v)
v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
Tags: American crow, black-capped chickadee, blue jay, eastern towhee, northern cardinal, northern flicker, song sparrow, white-throated sparrow, yellow-rumped warbler
