Autumn is my favorite season. Always has been. I also love the three other seasons—just not quite as much as fall. Especially here in Northern New England, on the 44th parallel, when the photoperiod changes noticeably throughout the year, and the weather is rich and varied.
This morning’s hike with dog was a chilly, breezy, sunny one. Few birds at first, but as the sun rose and the landscape warmed and the yellow-rumps bounced around in the brush and tree leaves, more species made an appearance. Vultures, a fish hawk, three kinds of sparrow, two thrushes, two corvids—and my little friend, the Brown Creeper.
Not sure why, but I really love Brown Creepers. And this one posed for me in a golden woodland. Thanks, little buddy.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 8:07 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. Yellow-rumped Warbler 2. Eastern Bluebird (v) 3. American Robin* 4. American Crow** 5. Hairy Woodpecker (v) 6. American Goldfinch (v) 7. Black-capped Chickadee (v) 8. White-throated Sparrow 9. Northern Flicker (v) 10. Red-breasted Nuthatch 11. Dark-eyed Junco (v) 12. Song Sparrow 13. Savannah Sparrow 14. Blue Jay (v) 15. Turkey Vulture 16. Osprey 17. Purple Finch 18. Brown Creeper
Elsewhere
19. Downy Woodpecker (v)
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
After the big rains of yesterday and last night, today dawned steeped in fog. Actual puddles on the wooded trail, water dripping from the trees. Made me feel grateful and wet and wild for sweet, sweet water. Oh, and there were birds about.
This area had inches of rain, from reports. (Most since I returned from Utah in late April.) Tomorrow’s supposed to be sunny and chilly and just about the kind of day I’m looking forward to.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 8:17 a.m., I hiked all trails.
The morning was warmer—50s (F)—but mostly overcast and quite breezy when dog and I headed up to Beech Hill. Some blue showed through, though, and I thought about hitting the wooded trailhead, but decided on the main trail. Good decision, as very little sun lit up the landscape, and the light was better out in the barrens.
Crows again—couple dozen of ’em. Can’t decide if their great annual convention is about to start, or perhaps warming and dryness and maybe other factors have affected this great event. The wind was nice and cool and I loved the sky and the smell and the muted-yet-wildly-colorful landscape—all kinds of lovely surroundings.
Saw a kestrel, saw a red-tail—both noteworthy. Only one woodpecker, only one robin (unlike recent days). Migration continues but this morning seemed as muted as the day.
Might be a quick hike tomorrow, as a big rain’s a-comin’.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 8:10 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. Tufted Titmouse (v) 2. Yellow-rumped Warbler 3. Purple Finch (v) 4. Common Yellowthroat (v) 5. American Crow 6. Black-capped Chickadee 7. Blue Jay (v) 8. American Kestrel 9. Northern Flicker (v) 10. White-throated Sparrow 11. Dark-eyed Junco 12. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v) 13. Gray Catbird (v) 14. Ruby-crowned Kinglet 15. American Robin (v) 16. Savannah Sparrow 17. Red-tailed Hawk
Elsewhere
18. Northern Cardinal (v)
Mammals
Eastern Gray Squirrel
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
