Ruby-throated Hummingbird.
For the past couple weeks I’ve encountered little gangs of hummingbirds scouting the summit of Beech Hill in search of flies. I know that’s what they’re up to because of the Cedar Waxwing—and this year, a solitary Yellow Warbler—that perch in the tops of the spruces, where the swarms are. Every August a series of fly hatches brings the birds up there. Also phoebes and Empidonax flycatchers.
Yellow Warbler aerobat.
(Aside: today I’d just stopped to take a photo of a good-sized dragonfly when a phoebe zoomed in and almost grabbed it before seeing me and Jack—at which point they took of in either direction.)
A year or two ago, I watched a hovering hummer snag a couple flies. This year I’ve mostly watched them chase each other through the sky. Still, it’s thrilling and inspiring just to know that their around.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 8:30 a.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. Red-eyed Vireo**
2. Black-capped Chickadee** (v)
3. American Goldfinch (v)
4. Gray Catbird
5. Yellow-rumped Warbler
6. Chestnut-sided Warbler
7. Common Yellowthroat
8. American Robin
9. Cedar Waxwing
10. Yellow Warbler
11. Northern Flicker (v)
12. Eastern Towhee
13. Purple Finch (v)
14. Song Sparrow
15. Ruby-throated Hummingbird
16. Eastern Phoebe
17. Barn Swallow
18. Northern Cardinal (v)
Elsewhere
19. Blue Jay (v)
20. Mourning Dove
21. Rock Pigeon
22. Herring Gull
23. Osprey
v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: American goldfinch, American robin, barn swallow, black-capped chickadee, blue jay, Cedar waxwing, chestnut-sided warbler, common yellowthroat, eastern phoebe, eastern towhee, gray catbird, herring gull, mourning dove, northern cardinal, northern flicker, osprey, purple finch, red-eyed vireo, rock pigeon, ruby-throated hummingbird, song sparrow, yellow warbler, yellow-rumped warbler
