Mallards at the “vernal pool.”
Sunny, coldish, windy. Eventually, I hiked Beech Hill.
Phoebe by the bay.
But first, while at my desk, I caught sight of some movement out of the corner of my eye and looked out to see some good-sized turkeys working on crossing busy Route 1. Cars were zipping by—but somehow they slipped through, raced across my parking lot, and hurried single-file up the hill, spooking a robin.
Titmice, crows, a pair of house finches chasing each other across the blue.
High winds and cool temperatures (didn’t make it to 40 degrees (F)) when Jack and I started our hike late in the day. Surprisingly, within a few minutes, I already had two species: goldfinch and herring gull. By the time we reached the summit, I had four (crow and song sparrow). We met no one else on the hill today—unsurprisingly, considering the atmospheric conditions—but we did meet the phoebe that’s laid claim to Beech Nut. And the bright afternoon sun took the edge off a bit.
Back down the wooded slope, we looked for turkeys but saw none. Did hear chickadees.
But returning home on South Street, two big ol’ turkeys jumped out in front of us and I had to jam on the brakes. Then I saw where they were headed—about a dozen other birds were strutting and displaying on the grass of a secluded yard. It looked like a turkey sex party or something.
The wooded trail, Beech Hill.
Stars and planets and moon out tonight. The winds calmed some. No woodcocks that I could hear, though.
I hear there’s a chance of snow tomorrow.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 4:45 p.m., I hiked the wooded trails.
1. American goldfinch (voice)
2. Herring gull
3. American crow (voice)
4. Song sparrow (voice)
5. Eastern phoebe
6. Black-capped chickadee (voice)
Elsewhere
7. Tufted titmouse
8. House finch
9. Northern cardinal
10. American robin
11. Wild turkey
Tags: American crow, American goldfinch, black-capped chickadee, eastern phoebe, herring gull, song sparrowe
