Another fine day of hiking in mild weather through the woodlands to the summit of a scenic coastal hill with early-ripening lowbush blueberries. Things began slow—cool, breezy, rather dry—but picked up as dog and I got near the summit. Not as many species as yesterday, but plenty of action.
Notable were all the juvies around—both new begging fledglings and older youngsters (teenagers, let’s say) flitting silently around on their own for the first time. Among the latter were a pair of Hermit Thrushes, one of them seeming curious about Jack and me. Several others I only became aware of on account of their thin, subtle begging voices in the thick greenery. The likes of Chestnut-sided Warblers, I bet, and Common Yellowthroats.
Again on the open trail, we encountered a Savannah Sparrow, who perched on a trailside birch and chipped loudly to warn the youngsters.
I’d take several days like this one.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 7:42 a.m., I hiked most trails.
1. Black-throated Green Warbler (v)
2. Red-eyed Vireo**
3. Ovenbird** (v)
4. American goldfinch
5. Common Yellowthroat
6. American Crow*
7. Black-and-white Warbler (v)
8. Chestnut-sided Warbler
9. Veery (v)
10. Black-capped Chickadee** (v)
11. Hermit Thrush
12. Gray Catbird
13. Field Sparrow (v)
14. Eastern Towhee (v)
15. Chipping Sparrow (v)
16. Prairie Warbler (v)
17. American Robin*
18. Hairy Woodpecker (v)
19. Song Sparrow**
20. Purple Finch (v)
21. Savannah Sparrow
22. Tufted Titmouse (v)
23. Turkey Vulture
24. Yellow Warbler
25. House Wren
26. Eastern Wood-pewee (v)
27. Brown Creeper (v)
28. White-breasted Nuthatch (v)
Elsewhere
29. Northern Cardinal
30. Rock Pigeon
31. Herring Gull
32. Common Grackle
(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
†First-of-year
Tags: American crow, American goldfinch, American robin, black-and-white warbler, black-capped chickadee, black-throated green warbler, brown creeper, chestnut-sided warbler, chipping sparrow, common grackle, common yellowthroat, eastern towhee, eastern wood-pewee, field sparrow, gray catbird, hairy woodpecker, hermit thrush, herring gull, house wren, northern cardinal, ovenbird, prairie warbler, purple finch, red-eyed vireo, rock pigeon, savannah sparrow, song sparrow, tufted titmouse, turkey vulture, veery, white-breasted nuthatch, yellow warbler
