The morning was warmer—50s (F)—but mostly overcast and quite breezy when dog and I headed up to Beech Hill. Some blue showed through, though, and I thought about hitting the wooded trailhead, but decided on the main trail. Good decision, as very little sun lit up the landscape, and the light was better out in the barrens.
Crows again—couple dozen of ’em. Can’t decide if their great annual convention is about to start, or perhaps warming and dryness and maybe other factors have affected this great event. The wind was nice and cool and I loved the sky and the smell and the muted-yet-wildly-colorful landscape—all kinds of lovely surroundings.
Saw a kestrel, saw a red-tail—both noteworthy. Only one woodpecker, only one robin (unlike recent days). Migration continues but this morning seemed as muted as the day.
Might be a quick hike tomorrow, as a big rain’s a-comin’.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 8:10 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. Tufted Titmouse (v)
2. Yellow-rumped Warbler
3. Purple Finch (v)
4. Common Yellowthroat (v)
5. American Crow
6. Black-capped Chickadee
7. Blue Jay (v)
8. American Kestrel
9. Northern Flicker (v)
10. White-throated Sparrow
11. Dark-eyed Junco
12. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v)
13. Gray Catbird (v)
14. Ruby-crowned Kinglet
15. American Robin (v)
16. Savannah Sparrow
17. Red-tailed Hawk
Elsewhere
18. Northern Cardinal (v)
Mammals
Eastern Gray Squirrel
(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
†First-of-year
Tags: American crow, American kestrel, American robin, black-capped chickadee, blue jay, common yellowthroat, dark-eyed junco, eastern gray squirrel, gray catbird, northern flicker, purple finch, red-breasted nuthatch, ruby-crowned kinglet, savannah sparrow, tufted titmouse, white-throated sparrow, yellow-rumped warbler
