I have a favorite sparrow. It’s the Savannah Sparrow. Ever since I first heard its high-pitched, insect-like trill with a little hiccup at the end, I kind of fell for the bird. Also, I got to recognizing its chip note. And its tendency to perch atop a low trailside bush to warn its fledglings that humans were about. I have bunches of photos of the species. Even a few videos.
This lovely cool, birdy morning, I encountered a couple of Savannah’s—including one perched on a low trailside bush, warning the young ’uns to keep quiet for a bit before enjoying a little morsel for brunch.
Thirty-seven species this morning. Fun hike with dog.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:36 a.m., I hiked most trails.
We hit the trailhead bit later than yesterday, dog and I, but what a lovely Fifth of July morning: about room temperature, a bit breezy, with a goodly number of bird species.
It’s tourist season, with schooner cruises out on the bay, a big ol’ honest-to-gosh cruise ship headed into Rockland Harbor, and a slow stream of out-of-state visitors hiking this fairly famous hill. The beginnings of tourist season corresponds more or less with fledgling season.
Spotted (or heard) thirty-three species. Notably no chickadees, but they’ll be back.
Supposed to rain overnight. Might be a damp hike in the morning.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 8:28 a.m., I hiked most trails.
`1. Pileated Woodpecker (v) 2. Red-eyed Vireo** (v) 3. Ovenbird** 4. Black-throated Green Warbler (v) 5. Northern Cardinal (v) 6. Black-and-white Warbler 7. American Goldfinch** 8. Wood Thrush (v) 9. American Crow* 10. Veery (v) 11. American Redstart (v) 12. Brown Creeper (v) 13. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 14. Eastern Wood-pewee (v) 15. Blue Jay (v) 16. American Robin* 17. Northern Flicker (v) 18. Eastern Phoebe* 19. Chestnut-sided Warbler* 20. Gray Catbird* 21. Common Yellowthroat (v) 22. Mourning Dove 23. Cedar Waxwing (v) 24. Field Sparrow (v) 25. Downy Woodpecker (v) 26. Song Sparrow (v) 27. Purple Finch** (v) 28. Savannah Sparrow (v) 29. Eastern Towhee * 30. Turkey Vulture * 31. Hermit Thrush (tree) 32. Yellow Warbler (v) 33. Prairie Warbler (v)
Elsewhere
34. Herring Gull
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
Slept in a bit this morning, so dog and I didn’t hit the trail until a little later than usual. Was in the mid-60s (F), rather dry (still a mess of mosquitos), but quite good bird activity.
Red Crossbill (male).
Notable were a fledgling waxwing begging for food, a good number of Savannah Sparrows (my favorite sparrow), and a male Red Crossbill perched atop the same spruce as the female I saw the other day. The only two crossbills I’ve ever seen at Beech Hill in thousands of hikes up there.
I must comment on an observation: it’s a little bit droughty here. Not as dry as out West, of course, but the stream we cross hasn’t been running for weeks. Which is unusual. Supposed to get a little rain a couple days this coming week. Will be welcome.
More anon!
Beech Hill List Beginning at 8:20 a.m., I hiked most trails.
