On our hike this foggy, misty morning, dog and I encountered a bird wave. Well, more like a ripple, perhaps—and Captain Jack didn’t really care to notice—but I found myself transfixed with the variety of little bird species flitting in the dewy greenery.
Coming up through the woods, few species. At the summit, one or two. Down toward the main gate of Beech Hill Preserve? A whole bunch of ’em.
Sunny and cool this morning, but warming pretty fast. Birds were active, but acting a little peculiarly—a little quieter, a little nervous, flitting about—which I attribute to early migratory urges. Then, as we approached the summit, I heard human voices up there. Turned out this was “Thrill of the Hill” race day.
A bunch of folks of all ages showed up for this annual fun(d)raiser—which was a real gas to observe.
Also fun to grab a decent photo of an Alder Flycatcher—usually shy to pose.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:10 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. Red-eyed Vireo 2. Ovenbird 3. Northern Cardinal** (v) 4. American Crow* (v) 5. American Goldfinch 6. Gray Catbird 7. Eastern Wood-pewee 8. American Robin 9. Black-capped Chickadee 10. Common Loon (V) 11. Red-breasted Nuthatch 12. Red-bellied Woodpecker 13. Eastern Towhee 14. Common Yellowthroat 15. Black-and-white Warbler 16. Yellow Warbler 17. Cedar Waxwing 18. Alder Flycatcher 19. Ruby-throated Hummingbird 20. Song Sparrow** 21. Yellow-rumped Warbler 22. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 23. Barn Swallow 24. Hairy Woodpecker (v) 25. Tufted Titmouse (v) 26. Hermit Thrush
Elsewhere
27. Carolina Wren (v) 28. Mourning Dove 29. Rock Pigeon 30. Herring Gull
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
This morning’s cool, sunny hike—the yellowish sun of late summer—came with a nice collection of bird species, but a more distracted lister. That’s because of the several conversations I had with fellow Beech Hill hikers.
Bobolink (female/juvie male).
It’s often that way. Jack and I are a friendly pair, and, well, these days trail chats are pretty much our only social life. These chats were good ones— inspiring, involving strangers and old pals, full of interesting coincidences. But I really lose count on such mornings.
I’m pretty sure I nailed things down, though. Most memorable, to me, will be the fact that I got my first halfway decent photo of a Maine hummingbird in a long while. (Haven’t seen many since our return.) Plus, a first-in-years Bobolink.
Rain expected on Wednesday. Tomorrow will be another dry one.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:25 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. Blue Jay (v) 2. American Crow* (v) 3. American Goldfinch** 4. Red-eyed Vireo 5. Black-capped Chickadee 6. Red-breasted Nuthatch 7. Alder Flycatcher 8. Eastern Wood-pewee (v) 9. White-breasted Nuthatch** (v) 10. Ovenbird (v) 11. Tufted Titmouse (v) 12. Brown Creeper (v) 13. Gray Catbird** 14. Eastern Towhee 15. Eastern Phoebe 16. Cedar Waxwing 17. Purple Finch 18. Yellow-rumped Warbler 19. Ruby-throated Hummingbird 20. Field Sparrow (v) 21. Song Sparrow** 22. Yellow Warbler (v) 23. Bobolink 24. Chestnut-sided Warbler 25. Northern Cardinal (v) 26. Least Flycatcher (v) 27. Common Yellowthroat 28. Wilson’s Warbler
Elsewhere
29. Carolina Wren (v) 30. American Robin (v) 31. Herring Gull
Mammals
American Red Squirrel
Reptiles
Eastern Garter Snake
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
