After the Big Blow of the past many hours, I knew there’d be limbs down. And, boy, were there limbs down. I must’ve tossed more than a hundred branches off the trails on my hike with Jack this nippy morning.

And, boy, was it nippy (16.9° (F) to start, warming into the 20s by our return). Not too much wind, but not too many birds, either. (Don’t blame ’em.) However, we encountered a bunch of chickadees, those little gregarious survivors.

Nearing the summit, we couldn’t help but notice one of the large trees in the spruce grove had fallen across the trail. Will be quite a chore to remove. Another (albeit not so large) downed tree on the upper wooded trail will also require more than my two arms and strong back—but I did manage to shove it up to where it’s pretty easy to duck under.

Most noteworthy: encountered some partridge tracks.

I wonder what Christmas gifts tomorrow morning will bring.

Beech Hill List
Beginning at 8:29 a.m., I hiked all trails.

1. American Crow*
2. White-breasted Nuthatch (v)
3. Black-capped Chickadee
4. Herring Gull*
5. Yellow-rumped Warbler (v)

Mammals

Eastern Gray Squirrel

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