A break in the pattern of warmth and humidity. A cool, overcast sort of day. None of the forecast rain showed up, although it threatened—to my eyes, at least. I know this from cycling eighteen or twenty miles around the county in afternoon, from post office to polling place to town clerk’s counter to renew my vehicle registration. Also ran an errand in Camden. No rain, though—just a stout northwest wind.
The wind cooled my late-afternoon hike with dog, but it was still warm enough for a t-shirt. Lousy conditions for birding, is all, especially at that time of day. I ended up with a measly fourteen species (farm road only) and missed photographing three or four teed-up birds that decided to split just as I was ready to release the shutter. The new-blooming wild iris posed cooperatively, at least. And the air smelled good. And the tall grass was rippling in the wind.
Tonight the moon is bright and nearly full. The air is cool. Good sleeping weather.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 4:45 p.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. Red-eyed Vireo** (v)
2. American Redstart** (v)
3. Chestnut-sided Warbler** (v)
4. American Robin*
5. American Goldfinch** (v)
6. Yellow Warbler** (v)
7. Song Sparrow**
8. Eastern Towhee
9. Common Yellowthroat**
10. Herring Gull*
11. Gray Catbird* (v)
12. American Crow*
13. Alder Flycatcher (v)
14. Ovenbird (v)
Elsewhere
15. House Sparrow (v)
16. Osprey (v)
17. Chipping Sparrow (v)
18. European Starling
19. Black-throated Green Warbler (v)
20. Northern Parula (v)
21. Tufted Titmouse (v)
22. Northern Cardinal (v)
23. Common Grackle
24. Mallard
25. Black-capped Chickadee (v)
v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: alder flycatcher, American crow, American goldfinch, American redstart, American robin, black-capped chickadee, black-throated green warbler, chestnut-sided warbler, chipping sparrow, common grackle, common yellowthraot, eastern towhee, European starling, gray catbird, herring gull, house sparrow, mallard, northern cardinal, northern parula, osprey, ovenbird, red-eyed vireo, song sparrow, tufted titmouse, yellow warbler


