Another cool, sunny September morning. Easier my old dog than the recent hot, muggy morns, and all in all a very nice hike. As for birds, quite a few—including three sparrow species: Eastern Towhee, Song Sparrow, and Savannah Sparrow.
The latter is my favorite sparrow, thanks to its clean, natty plumage, subtle yellow eyebrow, and sweet, sibilant, insect-like song. Alas, I only heard a couple singing on the hill this past spring, and I’m afraid only one nest resulted in fledglings (whereas in years past, there’d be at least three successful nesting pairs). So it was a nice surprise to catch sight of this one.
As summer grows long in the tooth, and signs of impending migration persist, perhaps it was just passing through.
Beech Hill List
Starting at 7:20 a.m. EST (8:20 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. Red-eyed Vireo (v)
2. Blue Jay (v)
3. Black-capped Chickadee**
4. Eastern Wood-pewee (v)
5. Hairy Woodpecker (v)
6. White-breasted Nuthatch
7. Brown Creeper (v)
8. American Crow* (v)
9. Eastern Towhee
10. Gray Catbird
11. American Goldfinch**
12. Common Yellowthroat
13. Savannah Sparrow
14. Song Sparrow
15. Northern Flicker (v)
16. Eastern Bluebird
17. Herring Gull*
18. Alder Flycatcher (v)
19. Turkey Vulture
20. Cedar Waxwing
21. Tufted Titmouse (v)
Elsewhere
22. Chipping Sparrow
Mammals
Eastern Gray Squirrel
(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
†First-of-year
Tags: alder flycatcher, American crow, American goldfinch, black-capped chickadee, blue jay, brown creeper, Cedar waxwing, chipping sparrow, common yellowthroat, eastern bluebird, eastern towhee, eastern wood-pewee, gray catbird, hairy woodpecker, herring gull, northern flicker, red-eyed vireo, savannah sparrow, song sparrow, tufted titmouse, turkey vulture, white-breasted nuthatch
