Gray ghost.
A sort of sunny hazy day—and warm. Notably warm early, and then the temperature reached the fifties (F). Like, mid-fifties. When first I stepped out, I heard Song Sparrows everywhere, like magic. Just the idea that they all flew in overnight as if arriving on jet flights from some southern terminal seems something like voodoo to me. Who says there are no miracles.
Eastern Phoebe.
I worked all morning, then I took a drive, then I worked some more—until a quarter past four. And then Jack and I took to the slushy trail.
Song sparrows everywhere, song sparrows galore. Also juncos: I heard and saw those little guys everywhere. And robins? We had scattered flocks all winter, of course, but they must’ve taken the same flight as the Song Sparrows. Hundreds, all over the place, zipping to and fro across the roads.
Ascending the Beech Hill carriage trail with dog, I happened to spot a harrier. A male, whitish, the “gray ghost.” Newly arrived, it struck me as a youngster, for some reason, as it soared low over the snow-bare southern slopes. Nice first-of-year bird. I even managed some photos. And a video.
Then, at the summit, a pair of Eastern Phoebes—also first of the year. It seems wild how familiar they are in high season. I see them every day. But today, on their arrival, it was so good to see those little guys. I felt sort of like a dog when his master comes home.
Some friends have had their woodcock arrivals. Still listening for my own.
Black-capped Chickadee.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 4:15 p.m, I hiked the open trail.
1. Song Sparrow*
2. Dark-eyed Junco**
3. Black-capped Chickadee*
4. American Crow*
5. American Robin* (v)
6. American Goldfinch** (v)
7. Northern Harrier†
8. Mourning Dove (wingbeats)
9. Herring Gull*
10. Eastern Phoebe†
11. Pileated Woodpecker (v)
12. Tufted Titmouse (v)
Elsewhere
13. House Sparrow
14. Northern Cardinal
v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
†First-of-year bird
Tags: American crow, American goldfinch, American robin, black-capped chickadee, dark-eyed junco, eastern phoebe, herring gull, house sparrow, mourning dove, northern cardinal, northern harrier, pileated woodpecker, song sparrow, tufted titmouse
