The day began with a hazy sun and an overcast on the way. A different day from yesterday, in part on account of a fly hatch. At the tips of the summit spruce grove, flies attracted many (mostly young) Tree Swallows—and one Barn Swallow tagged along.
Farther down the hill, a similar hatch lured a big flock of waxwings to the tops of some small trailside hardwoods. The birds were in waxwing heaven.
Tomorrow the rain will come. Dog and I will get wet for sure. Don’t mind.
Beech Hill List
Starting at 7:01 a.m. EST (8:01 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. Red-eyed Vireo (v)
2. White-breasted Nuthatch
3. American Goldfinch
4. Eastern Towhee
5. Eastern Wood-pewee (v)
6. Black-capped Chickadee (v)
7. Downy Woodpecker (v)
8. Brown Creeper (v)
9. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (v)
10. Blue Jay (v)
11. Gray Catbird
12. Tree Swallow
13. Barn Swallow
14. American Robin*
15. Common Yellowthroat
16. American Crow*
17. Cedar Waxwing
18. Song Sparrow**
19. Chipping Sparrow
20. Purple Finch
21. Alder Flycatcher (v)
22. Eastern Bluebird
23. Yellow Warbler (v)
24. Tufted Titmouse (v)
25. Black-and-white Warbler (v)
Elsewhere
26. Northern Cardinal (v)
27. Herring Gull
28. Wild Turkey
29. Mourning Dove
30. Rock Pigeon
(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
†First-of-year
Tags: alder flycatcher, American crow, American goldfinch, American robin, barn swallow, black-and-white warbler, black-capped chickadee, blue jay, brown creeper, Cedar waxwing, chipping sparrow, common yellowthroat, downy woodpecker, eastern bluebird, eastern towhee, eastern wood-pewee, gray catbird, herring gull, mourning dove, northern cardinal, purple finch, red-eyed vireo, rock pigeon, song sparrow, tree swallow, tufted titmouse, white-breasted nuthatch, wild turkey, yellow warbler, yellow-bellied sapsucker
