Northern harrier.
Yet another implausibly spectacular autumn day. A deluge of sunshine and hardly enough wind to stir the fallen leaves. Mild, too—got into the low-50s (F) but felt warmer. I’m sure we’ll pay for this. In fact, I’m hearing rumblings of a little storm named Sandy.
Savannah sparrow.
But today was lovely enough for a nice bike ride, that’s for sure. Encountered a couple town birds while out pedaling: house sparrow, pigeon. And then, Beech Hill.
Jack and I had hardly gone a dozen yards before my list had reached a half-dozen already. Robin, chickadee, titmouse, nuthatch, hairy woodpecker, blue jay. And yellow-rumps are still moving through. Also surprised a sparrow coming around the first turn, although I didn’t manage an ID. Climbing the trail, I had my eye out for a harrier. Not sure why—other than I know they tend to drop by in October, and this day felt like others when I’d seen ’em. Instead, about half-way up, we came upon a nervous Savannah sparrow.
At the summit, I noticed several crows perched on the naked branches of some trees far down toward the bay. Then, circling Beech Nut, I saw it: a harrier. It was flying very close to the ground, as they tend to do. It hadn’t seen us in the shadow of the hut. But it was moving, flapping, looking like it would dip to the ground, and my photos weren’t nearly as spectacular as the weather.
Northern harrier.
Still, I watched it circle, sail over the slope, then patrol down in the lower fields for a while. Meantime, a pair of bluebirds flew high over us, calling.
Tonight, the air is still as sleep. And there’s a nip in it—a reminder of the season.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 4:15 p.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. American robin*
2. Tufted titmouse (v)
3. Black-capped chickadee**
4. Hairy woodpecker
5. White-breasted nuthatch (v)
6. Blue jay** (v)
7. Yellow-rumped warbler
8. Savannah sparrow
9. American crow*
10. Northern harrier
11. Eastern bluebird
Elsewhere
12. Herring gull
13. House sparrow
14. European starling (v)
v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Local color.
Tags: American crow, American robin, black-capped chickadee, blue jay, European starling, hairy woodpecker, herring gull, house sparrow, northern harrier, savannah sparrow, tufted titmouse, white-breasted nuthatch, yellow-rumped warbler
