’Tis the season of the Ovenbird. Just now they’re singing teacher–teacher–TEACHER! all through the woodlands around here. I might well have mentioned before that I set my phone’s ringtone to the song of the Ovenbird so I’d never hear it at this time of year. (These days I leave my cell on mute while birding.)
They’ve been around for several days, but today was the first time one posed for a photo, perched about twenty or thirty feet up in the canopy.
Today’s first-of-year bird? Another one word species: Veery. I’ve missed this plain little thrush. Won’t be long before a lot of other species will be arriving—flycatchers, tanagers, and the like.
Also saw a hare and snake. I love these greening days.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 6:18 a.m. sun time (7:18 DST), I hiked all trails.
A bit cooler this morning when dog and I began our hike about a half hour earlier than yesterday. Just as bright, though—and even birdier. Considering a pretty stout wind, I was surprised to end up with a total of forty species.
The white-throats, as is their habit, were scratching about last year’s leaf litter, occasionally delivering one of their signature tseet! notes, and occasionally singing. I decided on a tally of twenty-four birds—but it easily could’ve been more. Those little sneaks were everywhere.
Tomorrow’s supposed to be warmer, with lighter winds. Already looking forward.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 6:30 a.m. sun time (7:30 DST), I hiked all trails.
This morning Captain Jack and I led a bird walk along the sunny, warming trails of Beech Hill Preserve. A real good number of folks (twenty-ish?) showed up, and the universe smiled on us.
Right away, birds—and among them, again, plenty of them warblers.
Other noteworthy birds were a pair of calling Broad-winged Hawks, a drumming Pileated Woodpecker, a photogenic kestrel, a plethora of towhees. But for the second straight day, I tallied two first-of-year warblers—a Yellow Warbler, and (my favorite) a Black-throated Blue Warbler. (The latter even posed for a nice photo.)
It was fun to tell a few stories of the hill, to offer a few tips, to recall some humorous bird-related memories. An auspicious day, this 9th of May.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 6:30 a.m. sun time (7:30 DST), I hiked all trails.
