Chestnut-sided Warbler.
When the black flies come out
I’m happier than most people I see,
less aggravated or dismayed by far.
I get a little inner thrill in fact
when that first fly buzzes my ear
or gets caught in the corner of my eye.
Tree Swallow drama.
When the black flies come out
I know that means the warblers are returning.
And return they did today—
eight species at Beech Hill
(two of them first-of-year birds).
Those who’d as soon dispatch the pesky fly
would also silence the warbler by and by.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 7:45 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. Ovenbird (v)
2. Eastern Phoebe*
3. Tufted Titmouse** (v)
4. Black-and-white Warbler**
5. American Goldfinch**
6. Black-capped Chickadee*
7. American Crow*
8. Eastern Towhee
9. Mourning Dove** (v)
10. Blue Jay** (v)
11. Gray Catbird (v)
12. American Robin*
13. Chestnut-sided Warbler
14. Common Yellowthroat
15. Yellow-rumped Warbler*
16. Herring Gull*
17. White-throated Sparrow** (v)
18. Common Grackle
19. Tree Swallow
20. Common Raven
21. Song Sparrow**
22. Field Sparrow (v)
23. Savannah Sparrow
24. Chipping Sparrow** (v)
25. Northern Cardinal** (v)
26. House Finch**
27. Nashville Warbler (v)
28. Pileated Woodpecker (v)
29. White-breasted Nuthatch* (v)
30. Purple Finch (v)
31. Black-throated Green Warbler**
32. Pine Warbler** (v)
Elsewhere
33. Turkey Vulture
34. Downy Woodpecker
35. Rock Pigeon
v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
†First-of-year species
