Yellow-rumped Warbler.
At the summit of Beech Hill is a spruce grove. A small tuft of trees on a bald dome. They might be remnants left to grow, they might’ve been planted there—I don’t know. But during migration, they’re popular with travelers.
American Red Squirrel.
Today, during a mid-afternoon hike with Jack under partly cloudy skies and a slight breeze, I’d only listed three or four species by the time I got to the spruce grove. One of those was Yellow-rumped Warbler. I tripled or quadrupled the number of ’rumps I’d seen within just a few seconds of visiting the grove.
I’d also ID’d a Song Sparrow, a White-throated Sparrow, and some chickadees.
Only later, while chatting with some friends on the porch of Beech Nut, did I get my eighth (and final) bird: a pair of Eastern Bluebirds calling in flight somewhere above the southwestern slope.
The air tonight carries a chill on it. As it should, being fall.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 3 p.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. American Robin
2. Yellow-rumped Warbler
3. American Crow*
4. Blue Jay**
5. Song Sparrow
6. Black-capped Chickadee** (v)
7. White-throated Sparrow (v)
8. Eastern Bluebird (v)
Elsewhere
9. Herring Gull
10. Rock Pigeon
v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: American crow, black-capped chickadee, blue jay, herring gull, rock pigeon, song sparrow, white-throated sparrow, yellow-rumped warbler
