Yellow-rumped warbler.
Had two dogs with me when I arrived at Beech Hill this late-afternoon: Boone’s staying with Jack and me for the weekend. A bunch of other dogs and people also showed up on the hill this evening, I suspect because of moonrise. A full moon draws people to the summit, I’ve noticed over the years, considering it rises above such a scenic, island-dotted bay.
Moonrise.
We met quite a few birds up there, as well—or, in most cases, heard them. Amid the boughs of the summit spruce grove, yellow-rumps were bouncing and flitting in the orange afternoon light.
I ended up having a few nice chats with friends and acquaintances as the dogs sniffed the air and a raven croaked down the dimming southern hillside.
When the moon did rise, it had a peachy-pink hue and lifted above Mount Desert Island into a pastel pink-blue sky. On the other side of the hill, the sun then set in vivid, contrasting orange and black.
Later, there would be a penumbral lunar eclipse, which I looked for, and sort of saw. Moonrise was better, though.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 4:45 p.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. American robin (v)
2. Black-capped chickadee**
3. American crow*
4. Yellow-rumped warbler
5. Downy woodpecker (v)
6. White-throated sparrow (v)
7. Eastern bluebird
8. Common raven (v)
9. Song sparrow (v)
10. Blue jay (v)
11. Tufted titmouse
Elsewhere
12. Herring gull
13. Brown creeper (v)
14. Wild turkey
15. Northern cardinal (v)
16. Mourning dove
v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Sunset.
Tags: American crow, American robin, black-capped chickadee, blue jay, brown creeper, common raven, downy woodpecker, herring gull, mourning dove, northern cardinal, song sparrow, tufted titmouse, white-throated sparrow, wild turkey, yellow-rumped warbler
