The storm had passed, and the temperature had risen to the point that big glops of wet snow had begun to drop from the whitened trees by the time dog and I headed up to the wooded trailhead. We got there kind of early.
Blue, blue skies, lighter winds, temps above freezing—several birds made their appearances known right away. It seemed a little like a bluebird day, but a bit windier and chillier, so the first thrill happened when, as we were nearing the summit, I heard the voice of a bluebird. I wondered if it was singing from the box at the top of the hill—and it was.
Cardinals, chickadees, and titmice singing. Also, toward the end of our hike, a Red-shouldered Hawk in flight somewhere out toward the bay.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 6:53 a.m. (7:53 stupid DST), I hiked all trails.
1. Northern Cardinal** (v)
2. Tufted Titmouse (v)
3. Black-capped Chickadee**
4. American Crow*
5. American Goldfinch** (v)
6. White-breasted Nuthatch (v)
7. American Robin (v)
8. Eastern Bluebird
9. Yellow-rumped Warbler (v)
10. Blue Jay** (v)
11. Pileated Woodpecker (v)
12. Red-shouldered Hawk (v)
Elsewhere
13. Herring Gull
14. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v)
15. House Sparrow (v)
Mammals
American Red Squirrel
(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
†First-of-year
Tags: American crow, American goldfinch, American robin, black-capped chickadee, blue jay, eastern bluebird, herring gull, house sparrow, northern cardinal, pileated woodpecker, red-breasted nuthatch, red-shouldered hawk, tufted titmouse, white-breasted nuthatch, yellow-rumped warbler
