Winter’s half over. Chickadees and titmice have begun singing their love songs. Somewhere, eagles are about to nest. Other species—bird and mammal—are thinking it’s time to consider starting a family.
A Tufted Titmice sang Peter-peter-peter! pretty much throughout my Beech Hill hike with Jack this unseasonably warm morning. And afterward, at the melting harbor, I got a front-row seat at the head-bobbing dance of a pair of American Black Ducks.
Despite the season, seems lots of birds got courtship on their minds.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 9:45 a.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. Black-capped Chickadee**
2. Tufted Titmouse
3. American Crow*
4. Northern Flicker
5. White-breasted Nuthatch (v)
6. Downy Woodpecker
Elsewhere
7. Herring Gull
8. Rock Pigeon
9. American Black Duck
10. Mallard
11. Long-tailed Duck
v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: American black duck, American crow, black-capped chickadee, downy woodpecker, herring gull, long-tailed duck, mallard, northern flicker, rock pigeon, tufted titmouse, white-breasted nuthatch
