Robin (?) droppings.

Damn cold and cloudy morning—too cold for black flies, apparently, and so no swarms of warblers. In fact, the light was too dim for any decent photos, so all my bird pictures were basically shit. At least I got two first-of-year species at home first thing, before dog and I left for Beech Hill: a Hummingbird in the azaleas, and a Yellow Warbler singing across the road.

But here’s a sampling the kind of photos I ended up with. (Sheesh.)

Wood Thrush.

Chestnut-sided Warbler.

Least Flycatcher.

At least, from the summit, I managed to capture a touch of spring:

Morning green.

Beech Hill List
Beginning at 6 a.m., I hiked all trails.

1. Common Yellowthroat**
2. Ovenbird**
3. Chestnut-sided Warbler
4. Black-throated Green Warbler**
5. Black-and-white Warbler**
6. Blue-headed Vireo (v)
7. Wood Thrush
8. Herring Gull*
9. Black-capped Chickadee
10. Veery
11. Tufted Titmouse (v)
12 Eastern Towhee
13. Northern Flicker (v)
14. Mallard
15. Gray Catbird**
16. American Crow*
17. Nashville Warbler**
18. American Robin*
19. White-thr0ated Sparrow (v)
20. American Goldfinch*
21. Blue Jay (v)
22. Northern Cardinal (v)
23. Brown-headed Cowbird
24. Song Sparrow**
25. Yellow-rumped Warbler
26. Downy Woodpecker
27. House Finch**
28. Least Flycatcher
29. Red-winged Blackbird
30. Eastern Phoebe
31. Wild Turkey (v)
32. Northern Parula

Elsewhere

33. Ruby-throated Hummingbird†
34. Yellow Warbler† (v)
35. Mourning Dove
36. Rock Pigeon
37. European Starling (v)

v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
†First-of-year bird