A mostly cloudy hike this morning, and cool, with a tiny bit of breeze. Truly a lovely hike with dog—and anxious-seeming birds.
They know the photoperiod is shortening, and it won’t be long before migration beckons, and they’re flitting around, snatching up caterpillars, or flies, or grasshoppers—and/or berries.
One of the species I saw this morning is notable: a Baltimore Oriole. I’ve encountered the species three times in the past few days, and always (I’m pretty sure) poking about in the same few trees. I don’t see orioles often on the hill, so this has been pretty fun.
I was prepared for a little rain this morning, but the early weather radar showed that most precipitation was sliding off toward the north. One approaching shower could possibly graze us—but I didn’t mind.
Turns out the shower did graze us, but not for about a half hour. Meantime, the birds were shy, the woods were dark, and the air was cool. Pretty lovely, actually. When the shower did come, it turned into one of the most luscious hikes I can remember. Protected by the thick canopy, yet present for the soothing sound of the rain… Hard to describe. Just wonderful.
And after the rain let up, birds emerged—oriole, woodcock, raven, first restart in a good while.
Was looking forward to sweet rain all week, as forecast, but it seems the forecast has changed. We shall see.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:37 a.m., I hiked most trails.
1. Red-eyed Vireo** (v) 2. Hermit Thrush 3. American Crow* (v) 4. Gray Catbird** 5. Eastern Towhee 6. Eastern Wood-pewee 7. Black-capped Chickadee (v) 8. Brown Creeper (v) 9. White-breasted Nuthatch 10. American Robin* 11. Cedar Waxwing 12. American Goldfinch (v) 13. Baltimore Oriole 14. Song Sparrow** 15. Northern Flicker (v) 16. House Finch 17. Mourning Dove* 18. Common Yellowthroat 19. Common Raven (v) 20. Black-and-white Warbler (v) 21. American Woodcock 22. Chestnut-sided Warbler 23. American Redstart 24. Black-throated Green Warbler 25. Tufted Titmouse (v) 26. Red-bellied Woodpecker (v)
Elsewhere
27. Northern Cardinal
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
A bit of a late start this overcast morning, thinking it might get bright enough for photos eventually. Dim it was, and pretty quiet up the wooded trails, but things got interesting at the summit again.
House Finch was new. Another oriole (which I didn’t frankly notice until I saw the photo many hours later). Bluebirds. Big birds—osprey, gull, vulture. But most exciting was probably the big ol’ fly hatch in the summit spruce grove, which had waxwings (and bluebirds) going nuts. Also a nice chat with some friends.
I’d repeat this hike. It was a good ’un.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:53 a.m., I hiked most trails.
1. American Crow* 2. American Goldfinch** 3. Red-eyed Vireo** 4. Eastern Towhee 5. Hermit Thrush (v) 6. Black-capped Chickadee 7. Eastern Wood-pewee 8. Tufted Titmouse (v) 9. Blue Jay (v) 10. Northern Cardinal** (v) 11. Gray Catbird 12. Common Yellowthroat 13. Alder Flycatcher (v) 14. Song Sparrow 15. Baltimore Oriole 16. House Wren (v) 17. Cedar Waxwing 18. Eastern Wood-pewee 19. Downy Woodpecker (v) 20. House Finch 21. American Robin 22. Eastern Bluebird 23. Field Sparrow (v) 24. Herring Gull* 25. Great Crested Flycatcher (v) 26. Yellow Warbler (v) 27. Tree Swallow 28. Osprey 29. Turkey Vulture 30. Black-throated Green Warbler (v)
Elsewhere
31. Mourning Dove
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
