Savannah Sparrow.
A lovely, warm afternoon at Beech Hill. Birdsong abounded. I suspect that’s because nestlings have become fledglings, so there’s not so much need to be quiet and stealthy (although there’s really always that need, if you’re a bird). And the adults teaching their songs.
Chestnut-sided Warbler fledgling.
Spotted a female American Redstart feeding a fledgling near the parking lot. Surprised a little family of Ruffed Grouse alongside the trail—as the other made alarm sounds, two chicks took off and sailed over a low stand of bushes. And spotted one of this year’s Chestnut-sided Warblers following its mother around.
At the summit, I heard Common Yellowthroats and Savannah Sparrows and Song Sparrows and Field Sparrows. In flight overhead, goldfinches chattered and waxwings sang squee! And as Jack and I stopped to visited with a pair of friendly hikers, a Towhee let fly from a bough of a spruce.
Birdsong improves a summer afternoon.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 4:45 p.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. American Redstart
2. American Goldfinch
3. Eastern Towhee
4. Chipping Sparrow
5. American Robin
6. Gray Catbird
7. Chestnut-sided Warbler
8. Song Sparrow
9. Cedar Waxwing
10. Ruffed Grouse
11. Yellow Warbler
12. Common Yellowthroat
13. Red-eyed Vireo
14. Savannah Sparrow
15. Mourning Dove
16. Herring Gull
17. Field Sparrow
18. Blue Jay
19. Black-capped Chickadee
20. White-breasted Nuthatch
21. Black-and-white Warbler
22. American Crow
Elsewhere
23. Ovenbird
v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: American crow, American goldfinch, American redstart, American robin, black-and-white warbler, black-capped chickadee, blue jay, Cedar waxwing, chestnut-sided warbler, chipping sparrow, common yellowthroat, eastern towhee, field sparrow, gray catbird, herring gull, mourning dove, ovenbird, red-eyed vireo, ruffed grouse, savannah sparrow, song sparrow, white-breasted nuthatch, yellow warbler
