Had a date with a couple new friends who accompanied Jack and me up the hill today. It proved to be a fortuitous day for a bird walk.
Most species so far this year, first of all. A mini-fallout of warblers, two first-of-year species (American Redstart, Wood Thrush), and one embarrassment: I thought sure I’d found a less-common vireo about half way up the hill—sounded like a Blue-headed Vireo but had a more rambling song and raspy calls (Yellow-throated? Philadelphia?).
Well, it turned out to be a Blue-headed Vireo singing its “complex song”. You live long enough, you learn.
All in all a lovely morning. The overcast blew away, and the sun warmed things into the 50s. Still a bit chilly tonight—but this, too, shall pass.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 7:30 a.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. American Robin (v)
2. Ovenbird
3. Common Yellowthroat
4. Northern Parula
5. White-breasted Nuthatch (v)
6. Black-capped Chickadee
7. American Redstart†
8. Chestnut-sided Warbler
9. Yellow Warbler
10. Yellow-rumped Warbler
11. Black-thraoted Green Warbler
12. Gray Catbird
13. Northern Cardinal** (v)
14. Eastern Towhee
15. Downy Woodpecker (v)
16. Herring Gull* (v)
17. Blue Jay**
18. Pileated Woodpecker (v)
19. American Goldfinch
20. Hermit Thrush (v)
21. Blue-headed Vireo
22. American Crow*
23. Tree Swallow
24. Song Sparrow**
25. American Kestrel
26. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v)
27. Field Sparrow (v)
28. Common Raven
29. Tufted Titmouse (v)
30. Turkey Vulture
31. Purple Finch (v)
32. Mourning Dove* (wingbeats)
33. Eastern Phoebe*
34. Black-throated Blue Warbler
35. Black-and-white Warbler
36. Wood Thrush† (v)
37. House Finch** (v)
Elsewhere
38. European Starling
39. Chipping Sparrow (v)
40. House Sparrow
v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
†First-of-year bird
