
From the roof.
I had a date to help fix the Beech Nut chimney screen this afternoon, and knowing Jack would not be able to climb the ladder—and yet would feel terribly left out nonetheless—I took him to Beech Hill early, so we could get a nice hike in. It was wondrous up there this morning: raw, chilly, bracing, fresh, clean, bright, all kinds of shades of brown.

Northern Cardinal.
Counted ten bird species early. nothing outlandish, but still.
Then in afternoon I told Jack I’d be right back and met up with Jackie to help fix the chimney screen. Really windy afternoon, but warmer and cloudless—the picture of early spring. As several hikers came and went, we powered through, took care of the repair. I didn’t fall off the roof.
Pretty nice view from up there.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 9:15 a.m.—and again at 3:30 p.m.‡—I hiked the open trail.
1. American Crow*
2. Black-capped Chickadee*
3. American Robin*
8. Song Sparrow*
7. Northern Cardinal**
6. Blue Jay* (v)
7. Mourning Dove*
8. American Goldfinch
9. Tufted Titmouse** (v)
10. Turkey Vulture
11. Downy Woodpecker‡
12. Mallard‡
Elsewhere
12. White-breasted Nuthatch
13. Dark-eyed Junco
14. Herring Gull
15. Rock Pigeon
16. House Sparrow
17. House Finch
v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: American crow, American goldfinch, American robin, black-capped chickadee, blue jay, dark-eyed junco, downy woodpecker, herring gull, house finch, house sparrow, mallard, mourning dove, northern cardinal, rock pigeon, song sparrow, tufted titmouse, turkey vulture, white-breasted nuthatch