This morning early as we hiked up the wooded trail, dog and I, the sun was out and the air was warm. Warm for the time of day, that is—and not long after, just plain warm. And that warmth drew the insects out. And the insects drew the warblers (and other birds).
My count today—much to my surprise—topped my previous count for the year (by one). Plus, I had two first-of-year birds: Chestnut-sided Warbler and Northern Parula.
Returning down the trail, in fact, we encountered a little warbler fallout—yellow-rump, black-throated green, parula. How fun the next few days will be.
(Also got a pretty nice photo of my favorite sparrow.)
Beech Hill List Beginning at 6:04 a.m. real time (7:04 DST), I hiked all trails.
Weather-wise, the morning began overcast and lowery but ended with a half-blue sky and lovely light. Above, more Broad-winged Hawks moving through, and Turkey Vultures. Also a random vee of twenty Double-crested Cormorants (first-of-year birds at Beech Hill).
Crows and ravens and jays and many sparrows. Woodpeckers and finches and thrushes. I could possibly feel content if a day like this one repeated until the day I died.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 6:45 a.m. real time (7:45 DST), I hiked all trails.
First came rain—a heavy, soaking, overnight rain. Then came high winds (which broke a series of utility poles on Route 1 nearby). Then came a very wet, heavy fog. However, during my brief morning hike with dog, I encountered some pretty fun birds.
Most notable was among the last birds I encountered: a first-of-year Brown Thrasher singing loudly down by the road. Also there were sparrows, blackbirds, phoebes, and more.
About midday the sky began to clear and by evening, the day was bright and warm and calm.
(I do love the variety of weather we get here in coastal Maine.)
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:17 a.m. real time (8:01 DST), I hiked the open trail.
1. Purple Finch** (v) 2. Black-capped Chickadee (v) 3. American Crow* (v) 4. Chipping Sparrow (v) 5. Song Sparrow 6. Tufted Titmouse (v) 7. Eastern Towhee 8. Northern Cardinal** (v) 9. Savannah Sparrow (v) 10. Brown Thrasher† 11. Red-winged Blackbird 12. Red-bellied Woodpecker (v) 13. Eastern Phoebe* 14. Blue Jay
Elsewhere
15. Herring Gull 16. White-throated Sparrow (v)
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
