After the thundershowers of yesterday, things cooled off overnight. This morning was nearly cloudless when dog and I headed up the trail, and the air was a lot cooler than the past few. Plus, at the summit, a nice southwesterly breeze ruffed our hair. (Well, Jack’s, as I don’t have a lot left these days.)
Had some things to do this early morning, so Captain Jack and I didn’t hit the trailhead until about an hour later than usual. It’d rained a bit overnight, and the trails were dewy—and the birds were bit quieter than in recent days.
However, over the course of our hike, birds did emerge. Quite a few species.
Despite the drippy, overcast conditions, this morning had plenty of bird species—and also a couple of mammals. Not so many mammals on my Maine lists as on my Utah lists, but considering these leafy, wooded conditions compared to the wide open spaces out west, it kind of figures.
Still, it was kind of a thrill to accidentally sneak up on a browsing White-tailed Deer—and, just a few minutes later, surprise a Snowshoe Hare.
Bird-wise, too, fruitful. We’re coming upon the fruitful time of year.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 8:13 a.m., I hiked most trails.
1. Red-eyed Vireo** 2. Ovenbird** (v) 3. Eastern Phoebe* 4. Song Sparrow** 5. Common Yellowthroat (v) 6. American Crow* 7. Northern Cardinal** (v) 8. Black-throated Green Warbler (v) 9. Veery 10. American Goldfinch 11. American Redstart** 12. Chestnut-sided Warbler** 13. Gray Catbird 14. Pileated Woodpecker (v) 15. Black-capped Chickadee** (v) 16. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v) 17. Alder Flycatcher 18. Blue Jay (v) 19. Tufted Titmouse 20. Eastern Towhee 21. Field Sparrow (v) 22. Yellow Warbler 23. American Robin 24. Turkey Vulture 25. Prairie Warbler (v) 26. House Wren 27. Black-and-white Warbler (v) 28. Great Crested Flycatcher (v) 29. Broad-winged Hawk 30. Nashville Warbler (v) 31. Herring Gull* 32. Eastern Wood-pewee (v)
Elsewhere
33. Mallard
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
