It’s nearing the end of May, and the spring greenery has by now burst forth all over the place. This can make birding a little frustrating—more places for the little winged critters to hide—but even so, I somehow ended up with four dozen species on my list this morning. Including three firsts-of-year.
The FOY species: Least Flycatcher, Eastern Wood-pewee, Alder Flycatcher—all favorites (especially the pewee, thanks to its amazing song). At least partly responsible for the nice count: a light southerly wind for a change.
Taking photos can be a challenge what with all the leaves and such, but I rather dig a challenge and expect to get pics of these three at some point.
We’re gonna get an overnight rain which will pass about the time dog and I embark on our Sunday morning hike. Can use the water, though, as it’s been dry. (Then again the dryness might be the reason I haven’t found more deer ticks yet this year.) Bring it on, Nature. I’m looking forward to it.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 6:21 a.m. sun time (7:21 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. Red-eyed Vireo**
2. Tufted Titmouse** (v)
3. Ovenbird**
4. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (v, drumming)
5. Common Yellowthroat**
6. Wood Thrush (v)
7. Veery (v)
8. Black-capped Chickadee
9. Black-throated Green Warbler** (v)
10. Northern Cardinal** (v)
11. Eastern Towhee**
12. Black-and-white Warbler*
13. American Goldfinch (v)
14. Least Flycatcher† (v)
15. Blue Jay (v)
16. Rose-breasted Grosbeak (v)
17. American Redstart (v)
18. Black-throated Blue Warbler (v)
19. White-breasted Nuthatch** (v)
20. Eastern Wood-pewee† (v)
21. Hairy Woodpecker
22. Great Crested Flycatcher (v)
23. Northern Flicker (v)
24. Field Sparrow (v)
25. Chestnut-sided Warbler**
26. Gray Catbird*
27. Prairie Warbler (v)
28. Yellow Warbler (v)
29. Chipping Sparrow
30. Song Sparrow**
31. Eastern Phoebe*
32. American Robin
33. Savannah Sparrow
34. Canada Goose (v)
35. Eastern Bluebird
36. Red-winged Blackbird (v)
37. Alder Flycatcher (v)
38. Brown-headed Cowbird (v)
39. Ruby-crowned Kinglet (v)
40. Scarlet Tanager (v)
41. American Crow*
42. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v)
43. Brown Thrasher
44. Common Raven
45. Mourning Dove* (v)
46. Tree Swallow
47. Purple Finch (v)
48. Pileated Woodpecker
Elsewhere
49. Red-bellied Woodpecker (v)
50. Herring Gull
Mammals
Eastern Gray Squirrel
(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
†First-of-year
Tags: alder flycatcher, American crow, American goldfinch, American redstart, American robin, black-and-white warbler, black-capped chickadee, black-throated blue warbler, black-throated green warbler, blue jay, brown thrasher, brown-headed cowbird, Canada goose, chestnut-sided warbler, chipping sparrow, common raven, common yellowthroat, eastern bluebird, eastern gray squirrel, eastern phoebe, eastern towhee, Eastern Wood-pewee†, field sparrow, gray catbird, great crested flycatcher, hairy woodpecker, herring gull, Least Flycatcher†, mourning dove, northern cardinal, northern flicker, ovenbird, pileated woodpecker, prairie warbler, purple finch, red-bellied woodpecker, red-breasted nuthatch, red-eyed vireo, red-winged blackbird, rose-breasted grosbeak, ruby-crowned kinglet, savannah sparrow, scarlet tanager, song sparrow, tree swallow, tufted titmouse, veery, white-breasted nuthatch, wood thrush, yellow warbler, yellow-bellied sapsucker
