Snowed a little last night, maybe an inch and a half. Wet snow, scenic. Warm this morning—mid-30s (F). A lot of the snow melted by the end of the day.
However, during our mid-morning hike, dog and I encountered a lot of it still. Nice hike. First up the hill even though we didn’t start until 10. I cleaned out a couple bluebird boxes, got wind of several species.
No photos, though, so later we swung by the harbor. Low tide, but an accommodating grebe posed for me.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 10 a.m., I hiked the open trail
7. Herring Gull 8. Mourning Dove 9. American Robin 10. Mallard 11. American Black Duck 12. House Finch (v) 13. Horned Grebe 14. Rock Pigeon 15. Northern Cardinal (v) 16. Turkey Vulture
v = Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere
Chilly at first light, but warmed up fast. Lots of birds on the hill, including my old pal Pileated Woodpecker, drumming on the utility pole as I first heard him do at least five years ago.
Also saw a bluebird cross Route 1 in front of me, alighting on a speed limit sign on the other side of the road.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 8:30 a.m., I hiked the open trail.
A warm, thawy, slushy, breezy morning. Several birds on the hill—including a fly-by Red-tailed Hawk—but I figured I’d swing by the harbor anyway, see what’s what. Windier when I got there at high tide, but the water birds were cooperative. In fact, I saw the first Red-Necked Grebe I’ve seen in I don’t know how long exactly.
Loon eating a crab, pair of Horned Grebes, black-backs. Good times.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 9 a.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 2. Tufted Titmouse** 3. American Crow* 4. Northern Cardinal** (v) 5. American Robin 6. Herring Gull* 7. Red-tailed Hawk 8. Black-capped Chickadee**
Elsewhere
9. Wild Turkey 10. Rock Pigeon 11. Mallard 12. Great Black-backed Gull 13. Common Loon 14. Horned Grebe 15. Red-necked Grebe† 16. Turkey Vulture†
v = Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year bird
