Dawn this morning came little later than yesterday, and much brighter. Nearly cloudless, with angular sun spreading through the now-mostly-ochre wooded Beech Hill trails. Didn’t know what to expect, bird-wise.
And had a couple nice surprises. Most exciting: a pair of Fox Sparrows that appeared just about where I’d last seen some several years ago (but in spring). Recognized ’em right away.
Also had a bunch of thrushes—robins and bluebirds—a random gull, and three woodpecker species.
It was a quick hike (had an early appointment) but a very satisfying one.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 8:02 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. Purple Finch (v)
2. American Robin
3. American Crow*
4. American Goldfinch (v)
5. Brown Creeper (v)
6. Hairy Woodpecker (v)
7. Yellow-rumped Warbler
8. Tufted Titmouse
9. Herring Gull*
10. Fox Sparrow†
11. Downy Woodpecker
12. Eastern Bluebird
13. White-throated Sparrow (v)
14. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v)
15. Blue Jay** (v)
16. Northern Flicker (v)
Elsewhere
17. Northern Cardinal
18. House Sparrow (v)
19. Ring-billed Gull
Mammals
Eastern Chipmunk
American Red Squirrel
(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
†First-of-year
Tags: American crow, American goldfinch, American red squirrel, American robin, blue jay, brown creeper, downy woodpecker, eastern bluebird, eastern chipmunk, fox sparrow, hairy woodpecker, herring gull, house sparrow, northern cardinal, northern flicker, purple finch, red-breasted nuthatch, ring-billed gull, tufted titmouse, white-throated sparrow, yellow-rumped warbler
