Upon rising this morning, the sun emerged, then faded in and out and in again as swirly white clouds floated overhead from the west. And the birds were really quiet. We walked long stretches, dog and I, without hearing a (literal) peep—because (I figured), at least in part, they don’t want to draw attention to their youngsters.
Throughout our hike, scanning the canopy, I caught sight of just three wood-warbler species, poking about for insects and caterpillars. Not one of them uttered a single tweet.
Beech Hill List Starting at 7:03 a.m. EST (8:03 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. Blue Jay 2. American Goldfinch 3. Black-capped Chickadee 4. Red-eyed Vireo 5. Black-throated Green Warbler 6. Eastern Wood-pewee 7. Hermit Thrush 8. White-breasted Nuthatch 9. American Robin 10. American Crow 11. Eastern Towhee 12. Gray Catbird 13. Cedar Waxwing 14. Song Sparrow 15. Purple Finch 16. Red-tailed Hawk 17. Herring Gull 18. American Redstart 19. Black-and-white Warbler 20. Hairy Woodpecker
When dog and I started up the wooded trail this morning, the temperature was in the 50s (F). Mostly sunny, and I knew this summer day would warm, but the coolness invigorated us both, I think. Also a few birds.
Before long, for instance, standing in one place, I added five woodpecker species to my early list. Near the top of the woods, I heard the loud, croaking calls of two ravens (first in weeks). At the end of our hike, I spied the first redstart in a while—and, for good measure, heard the unmistakable cry of an Osprey.
In other news, before our hike I heard a Carolina Wren in the woods at the edge of the yard, and afterward, I helped reintroduce a lost juvie robin to its parent(s). An all-around good day.
Beech Hill List Starting at 7:05 a.m. EST (8:05 DST), I hiked all trails.
