Was supposed to rain all day, so I’d prepared for dog and me to get wet. Welp, when we got to the trailhead, the sky was overcast, the air was damp, a wind was blowing—but no rain. We hiked our usual trails for nearly two hours, but the only wet we got was by brushing against trailside bushes.
Most notable this morning was the croak of a raven I heard within a couple of minutes of our arrival. Trees all around, I couldn’t see it. I wanted badly to see it. The raven continued to vocalize—changing its cries from croaks to wails—as we ascended the hill, its sounds coming from somewhere near the summit. Could not see it. Finally, it must’ve seen us below and took flight.
I grabbed a photo.
It was a truly lovely, bracing, invigorating hike. Soon after our return home, it began to rain. Just now, in evening, it’s still raining. Tomorrow, though, the sun’s supposed to make an appearance.
Beech Hill List Starting at 7:09 a.m. EST (8:09 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. American Crow* 2. Common Raven 3. Black-capped Chickadee (v) 4. American Goldfinch 5. Northern Cardinal (v) 6. Song Sparrow* 7. Common Yellowthroat (v) 8. Eastern Bluebird (v) 9. American Robin (v) 10. Savannah Sparrow 11. Gray Catbird** 12. Eastern Towhee 13. Eastern Wood-pewee (v) 14. Tufted Titmouse (v) 15. Cooper’s Hawk 16. Cedar Waxwing
The day began with a hazy sun and an overcast on the way. A different day from yesterday, in part on account of a fly hatch. At the tips of the summit spruce grove, flies attracted many (mostly young) Tree Swallows—and one Barn Swallow tagged along.
Farther down the hill, a similar hatch lured a big flock of waxwings to the tops of some small trailside hardwoods. The birds were in waxwing heaven.
Tomorrow the rain will come. Dog and I will get wet for sure. Don’t mind.
Beech Hill List Starting at 7:01 a.m. EST (8:01 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. Red-eyed Vireo (v) 2. White-breasted Nuthatch 3. American Goldfinch 4. Eastern Towhee 5. Eastern Wood-pewee (v) 6. Black-capped Chickadee (v) 7. Downy Woodpecker (v) 8. Brown Creeper (v) 9. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (v) 10. Blue Jay (v) 11. Gray Catbird 12. Tree Swallow 13. Barn Swallow 14. American Robin* 15. Common Yellowthroat 16. American Crow* 17. Cedar Waxwing 18. Song Sparrow** 19. Chipping Sparrow 20. Purple Finch 21. Alder Flycatcher (v) 22. Eastern Bluebird 23. Yellow Warbler (v) 24. Tufted Titmouse (v) 25. Black-and-white Warbler (v)
Elsewhere
26. Northern Cardinal (v) 27. Herring Gull 28. Wild Turkey 29. Mourning Dove 30. Rock Pigeon
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
A cool, cloudless morning greeted us when dog and I started up the wooded trailhead. Quiet in the trees, though. Mostly the usual suspects calling, with the occasional apparent begging sounds young birds.
Many, many waxwings, though. Also many robins. A few vultures overhead—and a single bluebird perching in the sun, projecting its shadow on a leaf.
Billowy clouds came this hot afternoon. Tomorrow’s supposed to be overcast.
Beech Hill List Starting at 7:01 a.m. EST (8:01 DST), I hiked the all trails.
1. Black-capped Chickadee 2. Tufted Titmouse (v) 3. American Goldfinch 4. Downy Woodpecker (v) 5. Red-eyed Vireo** 6. Eastern Towhee 7. Hairy Woodpecker (v) 8. Eastern Wood-pewee (v) 9. American Crow* 10. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 11. Brown Creeper (v) 12. Gray Catbird** 13. Alder Flycatcher (v) 14. American Robin* 15. Common Yellowthroat 16. Cedar Waxwing 17. Song Sparrow 18. Barn Swallow 19. Turkey Vulture 20. Blue Jay (v) 21. Eastern Bluebird 22. Northern Cardinal (v) 23. Yellow Warbler (v)
Elsewhere
24. Herring Gull
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
