This morning was much like yesterday morning—wet, muddy, starting to go green—but the day itself, unlike yesterday, was overcast throughout. On my hike with dog, we enjoyed a bit more wind, temps in the 40s (F), and, frankly, more bird species than I expected (albeit far fewer than yesterday).
No firsts-of-year, but the Brown Thrasher of the other day showed up again. Otherwise, mostly the usual suspects. A happy hike, though—even the slog down the lower wooded trail (which was essentially a stream).
Another morning like this is forecast for tomorrow, but thereafter it looks like we might get a streak of warmer, brighter days.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:09 a.m. real time (8:09 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. Savannah Sparrow (v) 2. Purple Finch (v) 3. American Robin** 4. Chipping Sparrow 5. Blue Jay 6. American Crow* 7. Black-capped Chickadee 8. Eastern Towhee 9. Tufted Titmouse (v) 10. Downy Woodpecker (v) 11. Brown Thrasher 12. Brown-headed Cowbird (v) 13. American Goldfinch 14. Field Sparrow (v) 15. Song Sparrow** 16. Northern Cardinal 17. Herring Gull* 18. Eastern Bluebird 19. Eastern Phoebe (v) 20. White-breasted Nuthatch** (v)
Elsewhere
21. Mourning Dove
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
Weather-wise, the morning began overcast and lowery but ended with a half-blue sky and lovely light. Above, more Broad-winged Hawks moving through, and Turkey Vultures. Also a random vee of twenty Double-crested Cormorants (first-of-year birds at Beech Hill).
Crows and ravens and jays and many sparrows. Woodpeckers and finches and thrushes. I could possibly feel content if a day like this one repeated until the day I died.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 6:45 a.m. real time (7:45 DST), I hiked all trails.
Based on the prognosticators’ forecasts, I was convinced dog and I would be hiking in the rain this morning. It was not to be. There were a few teensy drips of drizzle as we started up the trail but beyond that only wind and gray skies—no precipitation at all.
Not too many birds—my guess is they know more rain is coming—but a lovely hike with Captain Jack. (Also Oscar and his mom.)
No first-of-year birds, but May is nearly here. And I know what May means here on the 44th parallel. An influx, let’s just say.
Tomorrow’s rain should peter out about midday. more rain thereafter. Still, we shall hike, as always.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:17 a.m. real time (8:01 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. Eastern Towhee 2. Tufted Titmouse (v) 3. Purple Finch** (v) 4. Northern Cardinal** 5. Black-capped Chickadee** 6. American Crow* 7. Blue Jay (v) 8. Chipping Sparrow 9. American Goldfinch (v) 10. Downy Woodpecker (v) 11. American Robin** 12. Common Raven 13. Song Sparrow 14. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 15. Herring Gull* (v) 16. Mallard*
Elsewhere
17. Mourning Dove
Mammals
White-tailed Deer.
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
