Colder than yesterday, brighter sun, lighter winds—and about the same number of bird species.
But different ones. Notable were a couple of flying ravens, finches, some bluebirds (heard, not seen), and a little flock of Red Crossbills that stopped briefly at the tips of the summit spruce trees. I managed a faraway photo of the crossbills before they took wing.
Many robins in the sumac along South Street this morning, but none on the hill. And at home, the usual gang of turkeys.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 8 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. American Goldfinch (v) 2. Purple Finch (v) 3. Common Raven 4. Black-capped Chickadee** 5. American Crow (v) 6. Eastern Bluebird (v) 7. Red Crossbill 8. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 9. Herring Gull 10. Brown Creeper (v)
Elsewhere
11. American Robin 12. Wild Turkey
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
What a lovely hike this morning with my best friend. Just above freezing, not much of a breeze, mostly overcast—an overcast aglow. Before long I heard a Red-bellied Woodpecker’s call (first in a good while), also a titmouse (first in a little while). No buntings at the summit, but a bunch of bluebirds and yellow-rumps, and a solitary Red Crossbill.
Chickadees up there, too, along with a red squirrel and goldfinches. Saw no one else in the quiet woods, but I did hear the croak-croak of a raven.
Thanksgiving tomorrow. Wonder if we’ll encounter a turkey.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:44 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. American Goldfinch** 2. Tufted Titmouse 3. Red-bellied Woodpecker (v) 4. Purple Finch (v) 5. American Crow* 6. Eastern Bluebird 7. Red-breasted Nuthatch 8. Yellow-rumped Warbler 9. Black-capped Chickadee** 10. Downy Woodpecker (v) 11. Red Crossbill 12. Common Raven (v)
Elsewhere
13. White-breasted Nuthatch 14. Herring Gull
Mammals
Eastern Gray Squirrel American Red Squirrel
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
The forecast called for a morning overcast, and there were clouds—but there was also sun. And birds. Things are coiling up like a spring, awaiting the sweet release of fall migration.
Notable: a Cooper’s Hawk, a pair of sharpies, three species of corvid, vultures, and a gang of four Red Crossbills atop the summit spruce grove.
Supposed to rain tomorrow, but not early, so a morning hike it will be.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:49 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. Blue Jay** (v) 2. Tufted Titmouse (v) 3. American Crow* 4. Red-eyed Vireo 5. Black-capped Chickadee 6. American Robin (v) 7. Eastern Towhee 8. Gray Catbird** 9. Common Yellowthroat 10. American Goldfinch 11. Cooper’s Hawk 12. Purple Finch (v) 13. Yellow-rumped Warbler 14. Red-breasted Nuthatch 15. Song Sparrow** 16. Sharp-shinned Hawk 17. Common Raven (v) 18. Eastern Wood-pewee (v) 19. Eastern Phoebe 20. Herring Gull* 21. Turkey Vulture 22. Red-bellied Woodpecker (v) 23. Savannah Sparrow 24. Red Crossbill 25. Cedar Waxwing
Elsewhere
25. Mourning Dove
Mammals
Eastern Gray Squirrel Eastern Chipmunk
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
