What a lovely overcast morning. Just a wash of peach color in the eastern sky, just a hint of herringbone clouds, light winds, warm temps—and a first-of-year kestrel.
Actually, two kestrels. But only one hung around and hovered on quickening wings, scouting the barren for mice and voles, then flying away without having caught anything (near as I could figure).
I’d been waiting for this species, this first-of-year bird. Next I’ll turn my thoughts to other migrants yet to arrive.
P.S. I love this day.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 6:44 a.m. real time (7:44 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. American Crow*
2. Blue Jay (v)
3. Song Sparrow**
4. American Robin
5. Northern Cardinal** (v)
6. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v)
7. Tufted Titmouse (v)
8. Black-capped Chickadee**
9. Pileated Woodpecker (v)
10. American Kestrel†
11. Eastern Bluebird
12. American Goldfinch
13. Yellow-rumped Warbler (v)
14. Dark-eyed Junco
15. Herring Gull* (v)
16. Brown Creeper
17. Mourning Dove (v)
Elsewhere
18. Mallard
19. Wild Turkey
20. House Sparrow (v)
(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
†First-of-year
Tags: American crow, American goldfinch, American kestrel, American robin, black-capped chickadee, blue jay, brown creeper, dark-eyed junco, eastern bluebird, herring gull, house sparrow, mallard, mourning dove, northern cardinal, pileated woodpecker, red-breasted nuthatch, song sparrow, tufted titmouse, wild turkey, yellow-rumped warbler
