The most powerful blizzard I’ve ever experienced happened here in April about forty years ago. This morning’s chill was a blip by comparison. Still, it was coldish (low- to mid-40s (F)) and windy and overcast during my morning hike with Jack. I knew there wouldn’t be as many species on my list today as on yesterday’s—but still it was an awesome day.
Spooked a grouse, spied a raven, spied a kestrel, barely spied a well-camouflaged thrush, heard two dueling sapsuckers drumming.
The afternoon was less windy, with mostly blue skies and warm enough temps (about 60° (F)) that I wore a thin t-shirt when dog and I went on a dump run.
Spring is hard to pin down around here—which is what makes it so fun.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 7:13 a.m. real time (8:13 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. American Robin** (v)
2. Eastern Bluebird
3. Herring Gull* (v)
4. Black-capped Chickadee (v)
5. American Goldfinch** (v)
6. Song Sparrow** (v)
7. American Crow*
8. American Kestrel
9. Common Raven
10. Yellow-rumped Warbler
11. Ruffed Grouse
12. White-breasted Nuthatch (v)
13. Hermit Thrush
14. Tufted Titmouse (v)
15. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (drumming)
16. Eastern Phoebe (v)
17. Broad-winged Hawk†
18. Blue Jay (v)
Elsewhere
19. Mallard
20. Wild Turkey
21. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v)
22. House Sparrow
23. Canada Goose
24. Rock Pigeon
Mammals
Eastern Gray Squirrel
(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, broad-winged hawk, Canada goose, common raven, eastern bluebird, eastern gray squirrel, eastern phoebe, hermit thrush, herring gull, house sparrow, mallard, red-breasted nuthatch, rock pigeon, ruffed grouse, song sparrow, tufted titmouse, white-breasted nuthatch, wild turkey, yellow-bellied sapsucker, yellow-rumped warbler
