Turkey Vulture.
Today was a gas. First, I showed up at Beech Hill early (without Jack) to help lead around a group of about fifteen or twenty seventh-graders engaged in a wonderful ecological-slash-art project. This was to be their field day—others were simultaneously hiking other Coastal Mountains Land Trust preserves—and I was one of the “expert” guides. Well, I guess I can talk a lot about birds.
Northern Cardinal.
After yesterday’s chilly drenching, today dawned clear and cool but got warm as the morning progressed. And the birds were astonishingly cooperative. Each student chose a particular species—plant, bird, mammal, insect—and one of them chose American Kestrel, and I know that kestrels show up in April, and yet I hadn’t seen my first this year yet, and I did so hope one would appear. And one did. Three times. Hovered over the barrens and, at the summit, swooped directly over our heads.
We hiked all trails. Raptors had moved in—vultures, an osprey, and a first-of-year Cooper’s Hawk (which only I noticed swooping low down toward the woods). The kids were, well, kids—but they were also quiet and attentive when I rambled on about various natural aspects of Beech Hill. I got to talk to several about their particular areas of interest. They were really great. It was, in short, a gas.
American Goldfinch.
Later, of course, I also took Jack up there. Not so many birds at 3 p.m.—but I did spot a Northern Harrier. There were frogs.
And for the first time in a while, I’ve left the heat down tonight. Seems like spring.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 8:30 a.m., I hiked all trails—and at 3 p.m., I hiked the open trail again.
1. Northern Cardinal*
2. House Finch* (v)
3. Black-capped Chickadee**
4. Tufted Titmouse**
5. Downy Woodpecker** (v)
6. White-breasted Nuthatch*
7. Song Sparrow**
8. American Crow*
9. Eastern Phoebe*
10. American Goldfinch**
11. Dark-eyed Junco* (v)
12. Brown-headed Cowbird† (v)
13. Herring Gull*
14. American Kestrel
15. Turkey Vulture*
16. Osprey†
17. Red-winged Blackbird†
18. Cooper’s Hawk†
19. Brown Creeper (v)
20. Blue Jay•• (v)
Elsewhere
21. American Robin
22. Mourning Dove
23. House Sparrow
24. Mallard
v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
†First-of-year bird
Tags: American crow, American goldfinch, American kestrel, American robin, black-capped chickadee, blue jay, brown creeper, brown-headed cowbird, cooper's hawk, dark-eyed junco, downy woodpecker, eastern phoebe, herring gull, house finch, house sparrow, mallard, mourning dove, northern cardinal, osprey, red-winged blackbird, song sparrow, tufted titmouse, turkey vulture, white-breasted nuthatch
