The bunting did not greet us for the fourth straight day this morning when dog and I arrived at the summit. However, quite a few species did show up this lovely morn. Had three chats with friendly humans but no first-of-year species today.
Harrier, raven, and blackbird were among the highlights, but the most photogenic bird was a friendly chickadee.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 6:47 a.m. real time (7:47 DST), I hiked all trails.
The Snow Bunting was still hanging out at the summit of Beech Hill when dog and I hiked up there this morning. It’s a non-breeding male that perhaps lost track of his clan. But maybe not, what do I know?
Quite windy, very bright but with clouds flying by. Thirteen species, and the feel of true spring, and the promise of more first-of-year species to come.
Tomorrow’s supposed to be similar, but less windy. Lookin’ forward to it.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 6:47 a.m. real time (7:47 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. Tufted Titmouse 2. American Goldfinch 3. Black-capped Chickadee 4. American Crow 5. Brown Creeper 6. Herring Gull 7. Northern Flicker 8. American Robin 9. Snow Bunting 10. Song Sparrow 11. Blue Jay 12. Red-breasted Nuthatch 13. Red-winged Blackbird
Elsewhere
14. Mallard 15. Northern Cardinal 16. Wild Turkey
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
Snowed a little over night, and was freezing when dog and I reached the trailhead. The winds were high and the sky was blue and I wore my winter coat, which was the right thing to do. What with the wind, had fewer bird species than I’d had in a while—but most were singing (or drumming).
Still some wintry weather to come, but you can tell from the photoperiod that sprouts and leaves and wood-warblers are a–comin’.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7 a.m. sun time (8 stupid DST), I hiked all trails.
1. Tufted Titmouse** 2. Downy Woodpecker (v) 3. Black-capped Chickadee 4. Red-winged Blackbird (v) 5. Brown Creeper (v) 6. American Crow* 7. Pileated Woodpecker (v) 8. Hairy Woodpecker (v) 9. American Goldfinch** 10. Blue Jay (v) 11. Eastern Bluebird 12. American Robin* (v)
Elsewhere
13. Herring Gull 14. Wild Turkey
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
