Wet eastern towhee (female).
7:30–8:30 a.m., wet. Walked the wooded trail.
On a number of Beech Hill lists this spring I’ve noted identification a ruby-throated hummingbird by its voice. I’d like to clarify this. First, more than once I’ve counted this species only because of the unmistakable sound of its wingbeats as it buzzes by my ears; sometimes—e.g., when communicating to other hummingbirds—it might also be chattering. But in recent days, I have for the first time discovered a soft, subtle two-note call uttered by (I’m pretty sure) female ruby-throats when (I presume) near a nest. It’s very distinctive, a tiny paired du-du, du-du repeated a number of times. I love being able to ID this amazing bird that way.
Black-capped chickadee (voice)
Eastern towhee
Gray catbird
Chestnut-sided warbler
Nashville warbler
Ovenbird (voice)
Common yellowthroat
Black-and-white warbler (voice)
American redstart (voice)
Ruby-throated hummingbird (voice)
Alder flycatcher
American goldfinch
Red-eyed vireo
Eastern phoebe
Veery (voice)
Song sparrow (voice)
White-throated sparrow (voice)
American crow (voice)
Northern flicker (voice)
Blue jay (voice)
