Hermit Thrush.
Up early again. Not quite as early as yesterday, but it was 48 degrees (F) out at 7:30 a.m., and I couldn’t resist. Not the dynamite birding of yesterday at Beech Hill, but not bad at all—with three first-of-year species (Veery, singing White-throated Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow).
Brown-headed Cowbird (female).
Felt a little sense of letdown during the first minute of my hike with dog when I only counted three or four species (compared to ten or twelve yesterday), and then a Hermit Thrush popped up and posed for photos. The rest of the hike was real fine.
Highlights:
• Toward the summit, an early Veery hurried along the trail in front of us (as they are wont to do).
• As I tried (unsuccessfully) for a photo of the Veery, I heard the note of a White-throated Sparrow.
• Came upon a pair of courting Brown-headed Cowbirds—got a photo of the comely (if parasitic) female.
• Amid a plethora of Song Sparrows, I happened to spy a solitary Savannah.
• A cormorant flyover for the second straight day.
Savannah Sparrow.
No bluebirds today, though.
When the temperature rose to 59 by early afternoon, I couldn’t resist going out on my bike. Ahhh! What a lovely trip, 21 miles, felt great—and had a humorous interlude when my jersey split at the zipper, and I had to ride for about a half-mile with my stomach hanging out. Maine Sport saved my life (well, my dignity)—bought a new jersey and continued on my way. Saw an osprey and a bunch of geese at Lily Pond. Really, really missed cycling.
Tonight is warmish and fragrant. Spring.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 7:45 a.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. Eastern Phoebe*
2. Northern Cardinal** (v)
3. Black-capped Chickadee**
4. Hermit Thrush
5. American Crow*
6. American Goldfinch*
7. Northern Flicker* (v)
8. Song Sparrow*
9. House Finch** (v)
10. Herring Gull* (v)
11. Common Grackle*
12. Veery†
13. White-throated Sparrow† (v)
14. Ruby-crowned Kinglet (v)
15. Yellow-rumped Warbler
16. American Robin* (v)
17. Brown-headed Cowbird**
18. Double-crested Cormorant
19. Savannah Sparrow†
20. Tufted Titmouse (v)
21. Downy Woodpecker (v)
Elsewhere
22. White-breasted Nuthatch
23. Dark-eyed Junco (v)
24. Red-bellied Woodpecker
25. House Sparrow
26. European Starling
27. Rock Pigeon
28. Osprey
29. Palm Warbler (v)
30. Canada Goose
31. Blue Jay (v)
v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
†First-of-year species
Tags: American crow, American goldfinch, American robin, black-capped chickadee, blue jay, brown-headed cowbird, Canada goose, common grackle, dark-eyed junco, double-crested cormorant, downy woodpecker, eastern phoebe, European starling, hermit thrush, herring gull, house finch, house sparrow, northern cardinal, northern flicker, osprey, palm warbler, red-bellied woodpecker, rock pigeon, ruby-crowned kinglet, savannah sparrow, song sparrow, tufted titmouse, veery, white-breasted nuthatch, white-throated sparrow, yellow-rumped warbler
