
Third straight amazing skies in a row this morning with Captain Jack. Less sun, more shadow—rain in the offing—which might have to do with lighter bird numbers. But two new firsts-of-years showed up on the hill: a pair of Chimney Swifts and a pair of Barn Swallows. Also heard a cuckoo, which was fun.
Plus, I had chats with several fellow hikers—including a few out-of-staters, as the season has arrived.
We got a little wet on our return hike, but it was a light rain, which just added to the fun.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 7:55 a.m. sun time (8:55 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. Scarlet Tanager (v)
2. Ovenbird**
3. Tufted Titmouse (v)
4. Eastern Wood-pewee (v)
5. Wood Thrush (v)
6. Veery (v)
7. Red-eyed Vireo (v)
8. Black-capped Chickadee (v)
9. American Goldfinch (v)
10. Hairy woodpecker (v)
11. American Crow*
12. Chestnut-sided Warbler**
13. Hermit Thrush (v)
14. Gray Catbird**
15. Black-billed Cuckoo (v)
16. Alder Flycatcher
17. Field Sparrow
18. Song Sparrow
19. Cedar Waxwing
20. Yellow Warbler
21. Eastern Bluebird
22. Chimney Swift†
23. Common Yellowthroat
24. American Redstart
25. Ruby-throated Hummingbird (v)
26. Red-breasted Nuthatch
27. Ruby-crowned Kinglet (v)
28. Blue Jay** (v)
29. Black-and-white Warbler (v)
30. Eastern Towhee
31. Red-winged Blackbird (v)
32. Common Raven (v)
33. Purple Finch
24. Barn Swallow†
Elsewhere
40. Herring Gull
(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
†First-of-year
Tags: alder flycatcher, American crow, American goldfinch, American redstart, barn swallow, black-and-white warbler, black-billed cuckoo, black-capped chickadee, blue jay, Cedar waxwing, chestnut-sided warbler, chimney swift, common raven, common yellowthroat, eastern bluebird, eastern towhee, eastern wood-pewee, field sparrow, gray catbird, hairy woodpecker, hermit thrush, herring gull, ovenbird, purple finch, red-breasted nuthatch, red-eyed vireo, red-winged blackbird, ruby-crowned kinglet, ruby-throated hummingbird, scarlet tanager, song sparrow, tufted titmouse, veery, wood thrush, yellow warbler