This morning’s sky was overcast, and the air had wind and a chill. Becuase of those conditions, I didn’t expect many birds, but I was pleasantly wrong.
Most notable would be a pair of eagles flying over early on and the first chipmunk in a while and a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker drumming down in the woods and a flushed woodcock. And then, back home, a first-of-year phoebe perched on a twig by the house, flicking its tail.
I had the distinct feeling today that spring migration is all wound up and ready to go. Looking forward to my hike with dog in the morning (after tonight’s rain).
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 6:51 a.m. real time (7:51 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. American Crow*
2. Song Sparrow* (v)
3. Tufted Titmouse (v)
4. Black-capped Chickadee*
5. Bald Eagle
6. American Goldfinch (v)
7. Herring Gull*
8. American Kestrel
9. Dark-eyed Junco* (v)
10. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker† (v)
11. American Woodcock
12. Pine Siskin (v)
13. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v)
14. Downy Woodpecker* (v)
15. Northern Cardinal** (v)
Elsewhere
16. Wild Turkey
17. Mourning Dove
18. Eastern Phoebe†
Mammals
Eastern Chipmunk
(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
†First-of-year
Tags: American crow, American goldfinch, American kestrel, American woodcock, bald eagle, black-capped chickadee, dark-eyed junco, downy woodpecker, eastern chipmunk, eastern phoebe, herring gull, mourning dove, northern cardinal, pine siskin, red-breasted nuthatch, song sparrow, tufted titmouse, wild turkey, yellow-bellied sapsucker
