A cool, cloudless morning greeted dog and me as we headed up the wooded trail. By “cool,” I mean mid- to upper-50s (F). But once we hit the open fields, the sun warmed us up a bit—and, considering his thick coat, Jack didn’t much mind the little chill.

Birds were about, and moving. Notable, today, were the three flycatchers that showed up. In the woods, a wood-pewee perched on a snag and sang, occasionally making a quick flight to catch a fly. Nearing the summit, I caught sight of a young Alder Flycatcher (a species that prefers open areas)—and, nearby, a Least Flycatcher.

Between those three species and the waxwings that perched high in the summit spruce grove and dined on a fly hatch, the population of flies dipped quite a bit today.

Beech Hill List
Starting at 7:20 a.m. EST (8:20 DST), I hiked all trails.

1. White-breasted Nuthatch**
2. Black-capped Chickadee
3. Blue Jay (v)
4. Downy Woodpecker (v)
5. Red-eyed Vireo (v)
6. American Goldfinch
7. Eastern Wood-pewee
8. Tufted Titmouse (v)
9. Black-and-white Warbler
10. Gray Catbird**
11. Eastern Towhee
12. Cedar Waxwing
13. Alder Flycatcher
14. Song Sparrow
15. American Crow* (v)
16. Veery (v)
17. Common Yellowthroat
18. American Robin
19. Turkey Vulture
20. Northern Flicker (v)
21. Ruby-throated Hummingbird
22. Least Flycatcher

Elsewhere

23. Herring Gull
24. Belted Kingfisher

(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
†First-of-year