Today dawned cooler and damper, with thick fog. We arrived at the main trailhead a bit later than in recent days, dog and I. Still, nobody else there. Well, unless you count the sparrows and doves and cowbirds and nuthatches, woodpecker, etc., etc. Quite a few birds enjoy a foggy morn—especially since it means dampening up a rather dry few days.
No firsts-of-year species today, but a nice sighting was an in-between-coated Snowshoe Hare. (Hardcore birders like mammals, too.)
Yet another keenly enjoyable hike with my best friend.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 6:47 a.m. real time (7:47 DST), I hiked all trails.
Saw a Snowshoe Hare this morning. It was the highlight of my early hike with dog, which involved fresh snow, brilliant sun, high winds, blowing snow, low temperatures, and a lovely sky.
Only four bird species today—and no crows on the hill at all—but the bunny made it all worthwhile. (Actually, no, it would’ve been worthwhile without the bunny, thanks to a beautiful sky, lovely swirsly of wind-blown snow, light and shadow, etc.)
(For the first time in a while, I had more bird spp. at home than on the hill.)
More wintery conditions upcoming—low temps, etc.—but Captain Jack and I are ready and rarin’ to go.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:49 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. Tufted Titmouse** (v) 2. Black-capped Chickadee** 3. Herring Gull* 4. Blue Jay (v)
Elsewhere
5. Northern Cardinal (v) 6. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 7. Red-bellied Woodpecker (v) 8. Rock Pigeon 9. American Crow
Mammals
Snowshoe Hare
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
Since tomorrow’s supposed to bring the first of two days of super-frigid temperates (and high winds), I made a point of enjoying this not-that-frigid winter hike with dog this morning. Wasn’t sure what to expect, bird-wise.
In fact—perhaps on account of the overcast—there were fewer species (and birds) than yesterday. But still a few bluebirds and yellowrumps, along with a raven.
No woodpeckers, though. I’m already trying to divine what (if any) birds I might find on my list during tommorrow’s cold and wind.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 8:33 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. Black-capped Chickadee 2. Tufted Titmouse (v) 3. American Crow (v) 4. Yellow-rumped Warbler 5. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 6. Common Raven (v) 7. American Goldfinch (v)
Elsewhere
8. Herring Gull 9. Rock Pigeon
Mammals
Snowshoe Hare
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
