Rain overnight continued into early morning, but dog and I were not to be denied. The weather radar showed a break about mid-morning, so we headed up to what turned out to be a damp and misty hill.
Still a lot of fun, though. Plenty of smells for Jack to enjoy, and I listed a dozen bird species—many of them sparrows. Juncos, white-crowneds, songs, swamps, white-throats. Yellow-rumps, of course, and a flicker, and a cardinal and kinglet down by the road.
We got pretty good and wet, but that’s all part of the fun. Especially since I managed to keep my camera dry.
More rain tonight, but it should ease up in the morning, when we’ll be joined in our fun by a friend.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 9:50 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. Golden-crowned Kinglet (v) 2. American Crow* 3. Northern Cardinal** 4. Song Sparrow 5. Dark-eyed Junco 6. White-crowned Sparrow 7. Yellow-rumped Warbler 8. White-throated Sparrow (v) 9. Blue Jay (v) 10. Northern Flicker 11. Black-capped Chickadee (v) 12. Swamp Sparrow
Mammals
Eastern Chipmunk Eastern Gray Squirrel
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
The day dawned mostly cloudy, or rather foggy below and hazy above, with a little bit of sunlight filtering through. Chilly, but with the promise of warming. Dog and I slept a little late—convenient for the coming switch to Standard Time—so arrived a bit late to the hill, main trail.
Within a hundred yards, I had a dozen species on my list. Birds everywhere during that first roadside stretch—including a pair of kinglet species. The golden-crowned actually posed for a pic.
Happened to rendezvous with a couple of our friends, and we proceeded up the slope with company and good conversation—and bluebirds, and a White-crowned Sparrow. Eventually headed down the wooded trail alone, just the two of us, as we’re accustomed to doing. Got a Hairy Woodpecker and a titmouse down there.
If I were living in the movie Groundhog Day, I wouldn’t mind reliving this morning a time or two. And tomorrow comes sweet, sweet rain.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 8:20 a.m., I hiked all trails.
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.
