Grasshopper.
Pretty busy day indoors today, but then Jack and I got out and up Beech Hill—where the birds are still scarce, but the insects are making up for them. Damselflies mating, striped-winged dragonflies zipping around, crickets chirping all over the place, cicadas in the trees, and a grasshopper up on the concrete of the porch of Beech Nut. Some butterflies, too.
Black panther.
Of course, arthropods are out also—but most deer ticks are currently in their nymph stage (so I understand). That is, they’re tiny, virulent sesame seeds just waiting to bite you in some hidden place. As one did a couple years ago, on my back, giving my Lyme. Thus, we’ve been staying out of the woods this month (otherwise probably my favorite part of the preserve). One nice thing about the open trail, though, is that I can wear shorts and sandals and not have to worry about tick checks every few minutes.
Speaking of Lyme: heard on the radio today that the incidence of the disease here in the Northeast (and likely elsewhere) have been underreported by ten times. Yep, instead of maybe 30,000 cases, there have been maybe 300,000. I’m not too surprised, actually. Still, it won’t keep us out of the woods, Jack and me.
Meanwhile, we’ve got the crickets and the grasshoppers. And secretive birds in the greenery—where I hope they’ll stay out of the clutches of the resident outdoor cat. (Grr.)
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 5:15 p.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. American crow*
2. American robin (v)
3. Chestnut-sided warbler (v)
4. Purple finch
5. Gray catbird (v)
6. Song sparrow (v)
7. Eastern towhee (v)
8. Cedar waxwing
9. Black-capped chickadee (v)
Elsewhere
10. Tufted titmouse (v)
11. Herring gull
12. Mourning dove
13. Laughing gull
v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: American crow, American robin, black-capped chickadee, Cedar waxwing, chestnut-sided warbler, eastern towhee, gray catbird, herring gull, laughing gull, mourning dove, purple finch, song sparrow, tufted titmouse
