September hills.
And I mean “cool” in both its common senses. Jack and I hit the hill early this dry, chilly day—meteorological aftermath of yesterday’s warmth and humidity—in a sort of reverse experiment. Would there be more birds in the early coolness than in yesterday’s midday heat. Turned out there were, although, given the time of year, they were every bit as secretive.
Morning color.
The highlight was a southbound Turkey Vulture, whose progress I followed with my binocs as it rose into the blue, where I saw, far beyond and above it, what I feel fairly confident in saying was a Red-Tailed Hawk.
Also spotted a first-year robin, all pied and speckled, standing in the middle of the trail.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 9 a.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. Eastern Towhee (v)
2. Cedar Waxwing**
3. Red-eyed Vireo** (v)
4. Black-capped Chickadee** (v)
5. American Crow*
6. Savannah Sparrow
7. Blue Jay** (v)
8. American Goldfinch
9. Gray Catbird
10. Yellow-rumped Warbler
11. Song Sparrow (v)
12. Turkey Vulture
13. Red-tailed Hawk
14. American Robin
15. White-breasted Nuthatch (v)
16. Chestnut-sided Warbler
Elsewhere
17. Herring Gull
18. Mourning Dove
19. Rock Pigeon
20. Double-crested Cormorant
v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: American crow, American goldfinch, American robin, black-capped chickadee, blue jay, Cedar waxwing, chestnut-sided warbler, double-crested cormorant, eastern towhee, gray catbird, herring gull, mourning dove, red-eyed vireo, red-tailed hawk, rock pigeon, savannah sparrow, song sparrow, turkey vulture, white-breasted nuthatch, yellow-rumped warbler
