Was supposed to be rainy this morning, but it was only overcast, to start. Despite the wetness, dog and I encountered more bird species than the past couple-three hikes. Quiet though it was, I saw but a small percentage of ’em; the rest I heard. Noteworthy was the voice of a Great Crested Flycatcher— and the same Pileated Woodpecker I heard yesterday when we arrived.
Later, in a light rain, we came upon a little family of vireos flitting about in the canopy, an adult scrambling to feed a few rather demanding young ’uns. Even got a half-way decent photo, as proof.
Tomorrow’s supposed to be sunny, breezy, and cool.
Beech Hill List Starting at 7:06 a.m. EST (8:06 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. Pileated Woodpecker (v) 2. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 3. Gray Catbird 4. Eastern Towhee 5. Mourning Dove* (v) 6. Great Crested Flycatcher (v) 7. Blue Jay (v) 8. Song Sparrow 9. American Goldfinch (v) 10. Cedar Waxwing (v) 11. Black-capped Chickadee 12. Red-bellied Woodpecker (v) 13. American Crow* (v) 14. Eastern Wood-pewee (v) 15. Red-eyed Vireo 16. Common Yellowthroat 17. Eastern Bluebird 18. Downy Woodpecker (v) 19. Herring Gull (v)
Elsewhere
20. Northern Cardinal (v)
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
It was nice to have Jack with me again this morning. The weather as we ascended was gray and foggy, but as we hiked, the fog lifted, and the sun emerged. Few species still, and still a nervousness in the air.
Most notably, perhaps: Whereas as soon as we got out of the truck, I heard the call of a Pileated Woodpecker up above us in the oaks somewhere but I never could find it, later, in the woods, we spooked a hawk, which flew off in the canopy, but somehow I spotted it on distant perch. And got its photo.
Beech Hill List Starting at 7:46 a.m. EST (8:46 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. Pileated Woodpecker (v) 2. Red-eyed Vireo (v) 3. Eastern Towhee 4. Gray Catbird 5. Common Yellowthroat 6. Song Sparrow 7. American Goldfinch (v) 8. Eastern Wood-pewee (v) 9. Ruby-throated Hummingbird 10. American Robin 11. Blue Jay (v) 12. Cedar Waxwing 13. Black-capped Chickadee 14. Broad-winged Hawk 15. American Crow (v) 16. Tufted Titmouse (v)
I had no dog with me during my hike this morning for the first time in as long as I can remember. Captain Jack had to go to the vet for a digestive issue, and since he’s 15-plus years old, I worried throughout my empty-handed, solo hike—but all turned out OK. Also, some bird showed up.
Most noteable—or noticeable—to me were the vultures soaring over, and the nervous, quiet stirrings of songbirds flitting about for food. The seasonal light (and shortening photoperiod) is a sign that fall is not far away.
Beech Hill List Starting at 8:00 a.m. EST (9:00 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. Downy Woodpecker (v) 2. American Goldfinch** (v) 3. Blue Jay (v) 4. Red-eyed Vireo (v) 5. Tufted Titmouse 6. Black-capped Chickadee 7. White-breasted Nuthatch 8. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v) 9. Eastern Wood-pewee (v) 10. Gray Catbird 11. American Crow* 12. Cedar Waxwing 13. Turkey Vulture 14. Song Sparrow 15. Red-shouldered Hawk (v) 16. Eastern Towhee (v)
Elsewhere
17. Mallard 18. Mourning Dove 19. Herring Gull 20. Rock Pigeon 21. Wild Turkey
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
