When I first checked the outside temperature this morning, it was 9° (F). We waited a bit longer than usual to head up to the trailhead, by which time it was maybe 12° or 3°. Near cloudless, though, and calm—so it was a lovely, lovely hike.
And a bunch of birds showed up, too. Most notably a pair of Red-bellied Woodpeckers appeared along the lower wooded trail (only saw the female), but there were bluebirds at the summit, joined (as usual) by yellow-rumps.
Heard a raven (not unusual, really), and both chickadees and titmice were singing their spring songs. (In a couple days it sure won’t feel like spring, but the photoperiod tells the tale.)
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 8:48 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. Hairy Woodpecker (drumming)
2. Tufted Titmouse (v)
3. Black-capped Chickadee**
4. American Robin
5. Downy Woodpecker
6. Red-bellied Woodpecker
7. American Crow* (v)
8. Common Raven (v)
9. Yellow-rumped Warbler
10. Eastern Bluebird
11. American Goldfinch (v)
Elsewhere
12. Herring Gull
Mammals
American Red Squirrel
(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
†First-of-year
