In my thirty-something days of Maine hikes with dog so far, I’ve noticed a few differences in the bird populations from when we moved to Utah in the summer of 2019. For one thing, a Prairie Warbler—once an uncommon (but thrilling) visitor to Beech Hill—has claimed its territory. Clearly global warming has brought this species farther north.
For another thing, after hearing Scarlet Tanagers weeks earlier than usual, I have yet to see one. Have they moved through? Are they nesting already? Will I see fledglings?
Meanwhile, I’ve encountered no Black-throated Blue Warbler. My favorite wood-warbler, I miss seeing and hearing this lovely looking (and sounding) bird. Very few waxwings also. And of course there was that Summer Tanager a couple weeks ago.
But it’s still a bit early yet. I’ll get a better idea once fledglings emerge. Another miracle to look forward to.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:30 a.m., I hiked most trails.
1. Red-eyed Vireo** 2. Ovenbird** 3. Eastern Phoebe* 4. Black-throated Green Warbler (v) 5. Common Yellowthroat 6. Veery (v) 7. American Goldfinch 8. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v) 9. American Crow* (v) 10. American Redstart** (v) 11. Chestnut-sided Warbler** 12. Black-capped Chickadee** (v) 13. Gray Catbird* 14. Alder Flycatcher 15. Eastern Towhee 16. Tufted Titmouse (v) 17. Eastern Wood-pewee 18. Black-and-white Warbler (v) 19. Yellow Warbler 20. Black-billed Cuckoo (v) 21. American Woodcock† 22. Song Sparrow* 23. Tree Swallow 24. Osprey 25. Chipping Sparrow 26. Prairie Warbler 27. House Wren 28. Turkey Vulture 29. Rose-breasted Grosbeak (v) 30. Northern Parula (v) 31. Field Sparrow (v) 32. Broad-winged Hawk 33. American Robin (v) 34. Northern Cardinal** (v)
Elsewhere
35. Mallard 36. European Starling 37. Herring Gull 38. Rock Pigeon 39. Double-crested Cormorant
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
It was a lovely early morning hike with Jack-my-dog. We got up the hill early, under mostly sunny skies with a breeze that sent droplets down from new leaves damp with overnight rain. A raven greeted us at the trail head with loud, liquid croaking, and a nice variety of other birds appeared.
Had conversations with a few other early Sunday hikers, all of us digging the weather, the clean air, the views. If all days could be like this particular June day, I don’t think many would mind.
Rain forecast for late in the coming week, but tomorrow should be another fine one.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:30 a.m., I hiked most trails.
1. Red-eyed Vireo** 2. Ovenbird** 3. Common Raven 4. Eastern Phoebe* 5. American Robin* (v) 6. Song Sparrow** 7. Common Yellowthroat** 8. Northern Cardinal (v) 9. Black-throated Green Warbler (v) 10. Veery 11. American Goldfinch** 12. American Crow* 13. American Redstart** (v) 14. Chestnut-sided Warbler 15. Black-capped Chickadee 16. Gray Catbird** 17. Alder Flycatcher (v) 18. Eastern Towhee 19. Tufted Titmouse (v) 20. Rose-breasted Grosbeak (v) 21. Black-and-white Warbler 22. Yellow Warbler 23. Red-breasted Nuthatch 24. Field Sparrow (v) 25. Herring Gull* 26. Prairie Warbler 27. Turkey Vulture 28. House Wren 29. Great Crested Flycatcher 30. Least Flycatcher (v) 31. Red-winged Blackbird (v) 32. Purple Finch (v) 33. Tree Swallow 34. Hermit Thrush (v) 35. Eastern Wood-pewee (v)
Elsewhere
36. Mallard 37. Wild Turkey
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
Maine has foggy days. This day—at least the morning of this day—brought the second or third good fog to my morning hike with dog.
I like fog. When there’s no fog for a while, I miss it. I’ve written poems about fog—“Droplets in suspension linger”—and appreciate the sly suggestiveness of it, the dreamy idea that usually visible familiar things are out there somewhere, hiding.
Had a nice conversation, introduced Jack to some elementary school kids, followed the exploits of the recently arrived House Wren.
Yes, I missed water while out west, and now it’s all around me.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 8:32 a.m., I hiked most trails.
1. Red-eyed Vireo** 3. Ovenbird** 3. Eastern Phoebe* 4. Tufted Titmouse (v) 5. Common Yellowthroat 6. American Crow* 7. Northern Cardinal (v) 8. Black-throated Green Warbler** (v) 9. Veery** (v) 10. American Goldfinch (v) 11. American Redstart (v) 12. Chestnut-sided Warbler** 13. Gray Catbird 14. Eastern Towhee** 15. Alder Flycatcher 16. Black-capped Chickadee** (v) 17. Song Sparrow** (v) 18. Eastern Wood-pewee (v) 19. Yellow Warbler 20. Field Sparrow 21. American Robin* 22. Great Crested Flycatcher (v) 23. Tree Swallow 24. House Wren 25. Hermit Thrush (v)
Elsewhere
26. Mallard
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
