Southern slope.
Today was a busy, breezy, unseasonably warm day without a lot of birds in it. Did not hear or see many at Beech Hill in afternoon, did pass a flock of grazing geese on Meadow Street. But the second species I saw—this morning early, during my first trip out with dog—made me say, “Wow.”
Sumac pennants.
It was a Peregrine Falcon, a good-sized one, its wingbeats so rapid they were nearly fluttering. A bird on a mission. A big lovely raptor. Just goes to show if you pay attention and look up occasionally, you’re liable to get a thrill.
Visually, the day was wondrous: gray early, sun later—peak fall color, I’d say. You can’t really find adequate words to describe such a colorful world.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 2:45 p.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. Black-capped Chickadee** (v)
2. Yellow-rumped Warbler
3. Savannah Sparrow
4. American Crow*
5. Blue Jay** (v)
Elsewhere
6. Tufted Titmouse (v)
7. Peregrine Falcon
8. Herring Gull
9. Canada Goose
v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: American crow, black-capped chickadee, blue jay, Canada goose, herring gull, peregrine falcon, savannah sparrow, tufted titmouse, yellow-rumped warbler
