The inlsand hills.
Before I’d fully awakened, I heard the rush of car tires on the road out front and figured there’d be rain or snow. But I saw no precipitation—only a wet road from gone-by drizzle. Took care of Saturday errands and then, in late morning, took a spin by Beech Hill.
Winterberry.
One car leaving, one car parked. Sort of surprising for a Saturday—given it was a rather dreary one. Earlier, at the dump, I’d run into Chip, who reported having walked the hill early, when he encountered a few snowflakes in the air. Too warm for that when we arrived, although I half-wished for some. What I did see, after we’d only walked a few steps, were a couple chickadees. And while watching them I heard the voices of a brown creeper and a white-breasted nuthatch. Three small birds in quick succession.
That would be the lion’s share, right there.
We headed quickly up the steep part of the trail. The landscape was wet and brown, punctuated by bright red patches of winterberry. The overspreading gray sky held a hint of blue to the east, and hazy sun fell on the inland hills. Far up ahead I saw a couple of people ascending and figured they owned the car in the lot. But that turned out not to be: they were fellow Coastal Mountains Land Trust volunteers who had walked to the hill all the way from their home in Rockport Village. (A group of young folks lingering at Beech Nut apparently owned the car.) We caught up, talked birds, hiked down together. At some point during our walk I heard the caws of a crow.
The blue sky didn’t stick around. The rest of the day stayed cloudy. I had brunch with my birder friend Kristen in town—where I also saw gulls, starlings, and pigeons. Later, while sweeping off the low back roof and cleaning out the gutters, I heard a tufted titmouse squealing up in the oaks somewhere, as gray squirrels chased below.
Tonight remains overcast and damp. I find myself wondering about the prospect of snow.
Update: I just stepped out onto the deck to check the night and felt the kisses of snowflakes on my face and hands.
Chickawaukie Lake.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 11:30 a.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. Black-capped chickadee
2. Brown creeper (voice)
3. White-breasted nuthatch (voice)
4. American crow (voice)
Elsewhere
5. Herring gull
6. European starling
7. Rock pigeon
8. Tufted titmouse
Tags: American crow, black-capped chickadee, brown creeper, European starling, herring gull, rock pigeon, tufted titmouse, white-breasted nuthatch
