Did some chores, designed a graphic, took care of an errand or two, hiked Beech Hill in early afternoon. Although it was a sunny (cool) morning, this early afternoon’s hike with Jack happened under hazy-overcast skies. It being early, I didn’t expect many birds—but right away, I spotted a (young, I think) broad-winged hawk flapping low above the fields. Then I watched it hover away.
Plenty of people up there today—there was an open house at Beech Nut, which I didn’t know about—and also several bird species. Flicker again, towhee and yellowthroat and yellow-rumped warblers (plenty of ’em, up in the spruce grove), a kestrel flapping over as we headed back down.
The kestrel made two hawks today, two yesterday (merlin and red-tail). Certainly the time of year when your eyes turn skyward during the daylight hours (a place mine always go at night).
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 1:45 p.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. Black-capped chickadee (v)
2. American crow*
3. Gray catbird
4. Broad-winged hawk
5. American goldfinch (v)
6. Cedar waxwing**
7. Yellow-rumped warbler
8. Eastern towhee (v)
9. Common yellowthroat (v)
10. American kestrel
11. Northern flicker
12. Blue jay
13. White-breasted nuthatch
Elsewhere
14. House sparrow
15. Herring gull
v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: American crow, American goldfinch, American kestrel, black-capped chickadee, blue jay, broad-winged hawk, Cedar waxwing, common yellowthroat, eastern towhee, gray catbird, herring gull, house sparrow, northern flicker, white-breasted nuthatch, yellow-rumped warbler

