A mostly sunny morning, calm, about freezing. First full day of spring.
I kept my ear and eye out for spring things today as dog and I headed up the wooded trail. Singers included chickadees and titmice and cardinals and Brown Creepers. Fourteen species total on the hill—but the most noteworthy bird for me today was elsewhere.
In a residential area near Clam Cove after our hike, I happened to hear a singing Song Sparrow, a first of year for me. This sparrow is a favorite, evocative of spring generally, especially when it first returns from away.
Just listening to that sparrow’s song lifted my mood, affirmed my optimism, and improved my general outlook on the world—at least for this one day.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 6:48 a.m. (7:48 stupid DST), I hiked all trails.
1. American Goldfinch (v)
2. Tufted Titmouse** (v)
3. Northern Cardinal** (v)
4. American Crow*
5. Black-capped Chickadee**
6. Downy Woodpecker (drumming)
7. White-breasted Nuthatch
8. Brown Creeper
9. American Robin
10. Northern Flicker
11. Dark-eyed Junco
12. Yellow-rumped Warbler
13. Eastern Bluebird
14. Blue Jay
Elsewhere
15. Mourning Dove
16. Song Sparrow (v)†
17. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v)
18. Herring Gull
(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
†First-of-year
Tags: American cdrow, American goldfinch, American robin, black-capped chickadee, blue jay, brown creeper, dark-eyed junco, downy woodpecker, eastern bluebird, herring gull, mourning dove, northern cardinal, northern flicker, red-breasted nuthatch, song sparrow, tufted titmouse, white-breasted nuthatch, yellow-rumped warbler
