My favorite sparrow is the Savannah Sparrow. This sweet little bird is a fan of the blueberry barrens of Beech Hill Preserve during breeding season, then they leave for points south (as far as the Yucatan Peninsula) in winter. Similar to a Song Sparrow but with lighter-colored, more dapper-looking attire, and sporting a yellow eyebrow.
Most fun for me is their insect-like song—a sibilant trill with occasional other notes, often ending in a little hiccup.
Thus, it was with some excitement that I came upon a first-of-year Savannah on the hill this chilly overcast morning.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:13 a.m. real time (8:13 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. American Robin** 2. Black-capped Chickadee** 3. Downy Woodpecker 4. Song Sparrow** 5. Red-winged Blackbird (v) 6. Blue Jay (v) 7. Mourning Dove (v) 8. Northern Cardinal** 9. American Crow* 10. Red-breasted Nuthatch** (v) 11. Chipping Sparrow 12. Eastern Towhee 13. Field Sparrow 14. American Goldfinch 15. Eastern Phoebe** 16. Yellow-rumped Warbler 17. Tree Swallow 18. Eastern Bluebird 19. Savannah Sparrow† 20. Northern Flicker 21. Hermit Thrush 22. Herring Gull* (v) 23. Brown Creeper (v) 24. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 25. Hairy Woodpecker 26. Common Raven 27. Common Loon (v) 28. Brown-headed Cowbird (v)
A glimpse of sun preceded my morning hike with Captain Jack, but most of the hike itself happened in a hazy fog. Not so drippy as the past couple days, and birdier, but the sun didn’t return until afternoon (after a patch of rain).
No firsts-of-year, but the towhee’s still hanging around. Four woodpecker species, three thrushes, and a random Killdeer flyover. Notable was a late Turkey Vulture—and then seven or eight TVs flew over the house later in the day. Spring migration, y’all.
But, yes, it was a lovely, foggy morning—and in afternoon, between showers, I rode my bike around doing errands. I love this day.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 6:51 a.m. real time (7:51 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. Dark-eyed Junco 2. American Robin 3. Song Sparrow** 4. American Goldfinch 5. Northern Cardinal** 6. Hermit Thrush 7. Black-capped Chickadee 8. Chipping Sparrow (v) 9. Tufted Titmouse** (v) 10. Eastern Phoebe 11. American Crow* 12. Eastern Towhee (v) 13. Field Sparrow (v) 14. Yellow-rumped Warbler 15. Killdeer 16. Herring Gull* (v) 17. Pileated Woodpecker (v) 18. Brown Creeper (v) 19. Downy Woodpecker (v) 20. Red-bellied Woodpecker (v) 21. Northern Flicker (v) 22. Eastern Bluebird 23. Blue Jay (v) 24. Turkey Vulture* 25. Brown-headed Cowbird
Elsewhere
26. Wild Turkey 27. White-breasted Nuthatch (v)
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
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.
