Northern Harrier.
Some early busyness delayed my hike with dog until mid-morning today—a nippy, overcast morning. Heard singing Song Sparrows for the first time this year (three of ’em). Spotted two first-of-year-species: American Kestrel and Eastern Phoebe. But the highlight was the harrier that came sailing low and wheeling in a short dive to pluck a vole from the field.
Eastern Phoebe.
I watched her flap away carrying the vole in her right talon.
(At least I assume it was a vole.)
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 9:45 a.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. Tufted Titmouse (v)
2. American Crow*
3. American Goldfinch**
4. Black-capped Chickadee*
5. Song Sparrow
6. American Kestrel†
7. Herring Gull*
8. Northern Cardinal** (v)
9. Purple Finch (v)
10. Eastern Bluebird
11. Northern Harrier
12. Pileated Woodpecker (drumming)
13. Turkey Vulture
14. Eastern Phoebe†
15. Common Raven (v)
16. White-breasted Nuthatch (v)
Elsewhere
17. Mourning Dove
18. Rock Pigeon
v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
†First-of-year bird
Tags: American crow, American goldfinch, American kestrel, black-capped chickadee, common raven, eastern bluebird, eastern phoebe, herring gull, mourning dove, northern cardinal, northern harrier, pileated woodpecker, purple finch, rock pigeon, song sparrow, tufted titmouse, turkey vulture, white-breasted nuthatch
