
I had no dog with me during my hike this morning for the first time in as long as I can remember. Captain Jack had to go to the vet for a digestive issue, and since he’s 15-plus years old, I worried throughout my empty-handed, solo hike—but all turned out OK. Also, some bird showed up.
Most noteable—or noticeable—to me were the vultures soaring over, and the nervous, quiet stirrings of songbirds flitting about for food. The seasonal light (and shortening photoperiod) is a sign that fall is not far away.
Beech Hill List
Starting at 8:00 a.m. EST (9:00 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. Downy Woodpecker (v)
2. American Goldfinch** (v)
3. Blue Jay (v)
4. Red-eyed Vireo (v)
5. Tufted Titmouse
6. Black-capped Chickadee
7. White-breasted Nuthatch
8. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v)
9. Eastern Wood-pewee (v)
10. Gray Catbird
11. American Crow*
12. Cedar Waxwing
13. Turkey Vulture
14. Song Sparrow
15. Red-shouldered Hawk (v)
16. Eastern Towhee (v)
Elsewhere
17. Mallard
18. Mourning Dove
19. Herring Gull
20. Rock Pigeon
21. Wild Turkey
(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
†First-of-year
Tags: American crow, American goldfinch, black-capped chickadee, blue jay, Cedar waxwing, downy woodpecker, eastern towhee, eastern wood-pewee, gray catbird, herring gull, mallard, mourning dove, red-breasted nuthatch, red-eyed vireo, red-shouldered hawk, rock pigeon, song sparrow, tufted titmouse, turkey vulture, white-breasted nuthatch, wild turkey