This morning’s cool-then-bright hike up to the summit of Beech Hill and back was full of baby birds. Warblers, sparrows, creepers—even a little family of jays. Got to listen to their plaintive cries, watch the parent(s) feed them, witness their anticipation at getting fed, even observe their behavior at learning how to feed themselves.
That’s about all I have to say. Just a love, lovely hike today.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:30 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. Black-throated Green Warbler* 2. Red-eyed Vireo (v) 3. Tufted Titmouse 4. Ovenbird** 5. American Crow* 6. American Goldfinch** 7. Common Yellowthroat** 8. Northern Cardinal** (v) 9. Hermit Thrush (v) 10. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 11. Black-capped Chickadee (v) 12. Eastern Towhee 13. Gray Catbird 14. Chestnut-sided Warbler** 15. Veery 16. Eastern Phoebe* 17. Downy Woodpecker (v) 18. Alder Flycatcher (v) 19. Song Sparrow** 20. Field Sparrow (v) 21. Cedar Waxwing 22. American Robin 23. Herring Gull* 24. Savannah Sparrow 25. Chipping Sparrow 26. Rose-breasted Grosbeak (v) 27. Yellow Warbler (v) 28. Eastern Wood-pewee (v) 29. Blue-headed Vireo (v) 30. Hairy Woodpecker (drumming) 31. Northern Flicker (v) 32. Blue Jay 33. Brown Creeper
Elsewhere
34. Mourning Dove
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
An earlier hike this morning. Temps in the low 60s (F) to start, and a little breeze down in the woodlands. Birds were a little quiet, what with all their secret young ’uns. Took the lower trail and followed a Veery for a hundred yards or more. Finally emerged into the edge realm, and then the open barrens, where my count more than doubles.
Notable was a bird I didn’t list at the time but discovered when viewing photos tonight: a Blue-headed Vireo in a spruce in the grove at the summit. Perhaps more notable was a Cedar Waxwing posing regally atop a dead snag. And on our return, a singing Rose-breasted Grosbeak.
I wonder what tomorrow will bring.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:17 a.m., I hiked most trails.
Slept in a bit this morning, so dog and I didn’t hit the trail until a little later than usual. Was in the mid-60s (F), rather dry (still a mess of mosquitos), but quite good bird activity.
Red Crossbill (male).
Notable were a fledgling waxwing begging for food, a good number of Savannah Sparrows (my favorite sparrow), and a male Red Crossbill perched atop the same spruce as the female I saw the other day. The only two crossbills I’ve ever seen at Beech Hill in thousands of hikes up there.
I must comment on an observation: it’s a little bit droughty here. Not as dry as out West, of course, but the stream we cross hasn’t been running for weeks. Which is unusual. Supposed to get a little rain a couple days this coming week. Will be welcome.
More anon!
Beech Hill List Beginning at 8:20 a.m., I hiked most trails.
