The shortest day. A sunny one, relatively mild. High pre-holiday traffic, birds here and there. On Beech Hill, an ancient feel to the landscape—a timeless-seeming view. Monhegan out on the southern horizon, Isle au Haut a blue lump far beyond the coppery old grass of the slope. Nearer, under a trail-side spruce, the leavings of a red squirrel. Little dude’s been busy.
Tonight, hazy stars. Supposed to get a little snow tomorrow, then—right on cue—things turn colder.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 3:30 p.m., I hiked the open trail
1. American coot
Elsewhere
2. American crow
3. Herring gull
4. House finch
5. European starling
6. Mallard
7. Mourning dove
Tags: American coot, American crow, European starling, herring gull, house sparrow, mallard, mourning dove


