A day very much like yesterday—but without yesterday’s rain. This morning, dog and I encountered water in the form of a thick fog (and streams running down the trails). But unlike yesterday, birds were vocal and active.
Never would I have imagined I’d end with more than two dozen species on my list. No first-of-year species, but everything from a Mallard (voice only, flying over) to a first-of-year-singing Savannah Sparrow (my favorite sparrow).
The sparrow was especially fun. I simply love its sibilant, insect-like song—which carries so far. Even in a thick fog.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:02 a.m. real time (8:02 DST), I hiked all trails.
The forecast said there’d be a partly cloud morning, but it turned out to be just cloudy when dog and I headed up the main trail. Nippy (mid 40s (F)), but little wind, and returned birds seemed mostly undaunted. Still I didn’t expect many species.
Welp, I was wrong.
This morning brought eight more species than yesterday, and ample occasions for awe and wonder. Would that every day be so inspiring.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:13 a.m. real time (8:13 DST), I hiked all trails.
My favorite sparrow is the Savannah Sparrow. This sweet little bird is a fan of the blueberry barrens of Beech Hill Preserve during breeding season, then they leave for points south (as far as the Yucatan Peninsula) in winter. Similar to a Song Sparrow but with lighter-colored, more dapper-looking attire, and sporting a yellow eyebrow.
Most fun for me is their insect-like song—a sibilant trill with occasional other notes, often ending in a little hiccup.
Thus, it was with some excitement that I came upon a first-of-year Savannah on the hill this chilly overcast morning.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:13 a.m. real time (8:13 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. American Robin** 2. Black-capped Chickadee** 3. Downy Woodpecker 4. Song Sparrow** 5. Red-winged Blackbird (v) 6. Blue Jay (v) 7. Mourning Dove (v) 8. Northern Cardinal** 9. American Crow* 10. Red-breasted Nuthatch** (v) 11. Chipping Sparrow 12. Eastern Towhee 13. Field Sparrow 14. American Goldfinch 15. Eastern Phoebe** 16. Yellow-rumped Warbler 17. Tree Swallow 18. Eastern Bluebird 19. Savannah Sparrow† 20. Northern Flicker 21. Hermit Thrush 22. Herring Gull* (v) 23. Brown Creeper (v) 24. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 25. Hairy Woodpecker 26. Common Raven 27. Common Loon (v) 28. Brown-headed Cowbird (v)
