A little later, a little warmer than yesterday’s hike—perhaps a little calmer air, as well. All this combined to deliver a few more birds. And an interesting variety, from thrushes, to woodpeckers, to finches, to corvids, to sparrows—even my first waxwing in a while.
Most notable might’ve been the (very loud) Red-shouldered Hawk that appeared low above the trees—too low for a photo, alas, but you can’t miss this species’ call.
Busy otherwise today—a fruitfully busy one. Frankly, I could relieve this day forever and be content.
But tomorrow will come another one. And what’ll happen, no one knows.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 8:06 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. Tufted Titmouse 2. American Crow 3. American Robin** 4. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v) 5. Purple Finch 6. Black-capped Chickadee** 7. Downy Woodpecker 8. Red-bellied Woodpecker 9. American Goldfinch 10. Hairy Woodpecker 11. Yellow-rumped Warbler 12. Blue Jay** (v) 13. Eastern Bluebird 14. Northern Flicker 15. Cedar Waxwing 16. Song Sparrow (v) 17. Savannah Sparrow 18. Red-shouldered Hawk 19. White-throated Sparrow 20. Brown Creeper
Mammals
American Red Squirrel
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
I call ’em “big birds”—hawks and vultures and gulls and ravens and other large species that I see in the sky overhead. This morning’s fun hike with an old pal, for me and Jack, was a long but fun one. And it included several big birds.
Rained overnight, overcast this morning, and wet trails greeted dog and me as we headed up, a bit later than usual. Nobody else around at first. Plenty of birds, though, including most all the usual suspects.
Windy at the summit, small birds in the trees and large ones in the air. Among the large ones was an unseen raven, at least three vultures, and a Red-shouldered Hawk carrying what sure looked like a red squirrel. Also ran into some friendly acquaintances, which was nice
Alas, in the woods where the tanager sang the past couple days—nothing. I hope against hope we didn’t scare it off yesterday.
Best poser of the day: a very still Black-and-white Warbler, carrying food back to what is surely a nest full of fledglings.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 8:47 a.m., I hiked most trails.
1. Red-eyed vireo** (v) 2. Ovenbird 3. Song Sparrow** 4. Black-throated Green Warbler (v) 5. Eastern Phoebe** 6. American Crow* 7. Eastern Wood-pewee (v) 8. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (v) 9. Hairy Woodpecker (v) 10. American Redstart (v) 11. Chestnut-sided Warbler (v) 12. American Goldfinch** (v) 13. Cedar Waxwing 14. Black-and-white Warbler 15. Alder Flycatcher 16. Common Raven (v) 17. Yellow Warbler (v) 18. Eastern Towhee 19. Gray Catbird 20. Field Sparrow (v) 21. Purple Finch (v) 22. Chipping Sparrow 23. Prairie Warbler (v) 24. Common Yellowthroat (v) 25. Turkey Vulture 26. Red-shouldered Hawk 27. House Wren (v) 28. Tree Swallow 29. Hermit Thrush (v) 30. Veery
Elsewhere
31. Mourning Dove 32. Herring Gull 33. Rock Pigeon
Mammals
Gray Squirrel
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
