Cold morning.
Not long after sunup, when I first glanced at the miraculous wireless thermometer, I saw that it was zero degrees (F) outside. Took a while for true winter to arrive.
Heard a few little birds around out there nonetheless—including a chickadee singing it’s spring fee-bee! They know from the lengthening photoperiod how many weeks until the equinox. Eagles have likely begun to nest already, and bluebirds should be thinking about it before long.
Worked until mid-afternoon, then hiked. By then the temperature had risen to the mid-teens. Not much wind to make a lovely hike challenging. But big snow is in tomorrow’s forecast—and crazy low wind-chills for Sunday morning.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 3 p.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. White-breasted Nuthatch (v)
2. Yellow-rumped Warbler
3. Black-capped Chickadee** (v)
4. Woodpecker (sp, probably Downy—drilling)
Elsewhere
5. Blue Jay (v)
6. American Crow
7. Dark-eyed Junco
8. Rock Pigeon
v = Voice only
*Voice only elsewhere
Tags: American crow, black-capped chickadee, blue jay, dark-eyed junco, rock pigeon, white-breasted nuthatch, woodpecker (sp), yellow-rumped warbler
