Beech Hill sky.
I rose a bit early, and the thermometer out the back door showed a temperature in the upper 20s (F). I can’t remember the last time it was actually freezing around here. Crazy, crazy winter.
American robin.
On the other hand, it was a bright one. Sweet, angular sunlight bathing the bare-limbed oaks marching up the back hill. I hit the floor running, though, and barely came up for air until mid-afternoon. Had an antsy, stressed-out, Friday sort of feeling—couldn’t wait to get away from my desk and into the woods.
But first a trip to town. I followed a couple crows flying fast to the south, headed for who knows what sort of roadside meal. Herring gulls and ring-billed gulls hanging out around McDonald’s. I looked for rock pigeons on the little roof they frequent, but there were none. I often wonder where the pigeons go—secret holes and cavities up in the eaves of tall town buildings? Off in some stand of trees?
As I came down the hill toward the Rotary, I saw what at first I thought was a pigeon overhead, but when I ducked for a good look through my windshield, I knew right away what it was: a hawk. In particular, a sharp-shinned hawk—very small, coasting a bit, then rapidly flapping its rounded wings. Maybe that’s why I saw no pigeons. (Then again, a pigeon is arguably larger than a sharp-shinned, so maybe not.)
Evening woods.
At last, at about 4:30, I arrived at the Beech Hill trailhead. Clear, dry, about 40 degrees (F). The wind rocked the upper branches of the hardwoods as I walked quickly up the wooded trail.
The first bird I heard was a robin, maybe a third of the way up the hill. I wondered if it was a northern bird about to travel or a native just arrived. A skittish robin. Flighty. The thought of it potentially nesting made me realize that our local bald eagles already are.
Up the hill quickly, no other birds seen or heard until the upper trail. I stopped, as usual, to snap a photo of Beech Nut and heard a mourning dove calling from up toward the summit. No doubt the same bird I heard several days ago up here in the same general area. The setting sun shone burnt orange on the barren fields; the vault of blue moved me.
I took the lower trail down. Lots of mud beneath last fall’s leaves—I slipped and slid a bit. But no matter. I loved this hike. I live for hikes like this. I can’t imagine life without Beech Hill.
Today’s List
Herring gull
American crow
Ring-billed gull
Sharp-shinned hawk
European starling
American robin
Mourning dove
Beech Hill field.
Tags: American crow, American robin, European starling, herring gull, mourning dove, ring-billed gull, sharp-shinned hawk
