The forecast said there’d be a partly cloud morning, but it turned out to be just cloudy when dog and I headed up the main trail. Nippy (mid 40s (F)), but little wind, and returned birds seemed mostly undaunted. Still I didn’t expect many species.
Welp, I was wrong.
This morning brought eight more species than yesterday, and ample occasions for awe and wonder. Would that every day be so inspiring.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:13 a.m. real time (8:13 DST), I hiked all trails.
The most powerful blizzard I’ve ever experienced happened here in April about forty years ago. This morning’s chill was a blip by comparison. Still, it was coldish (low- to mid-40s (F)) and windy and overcast during my morning hike with Jack. I knew there wouldn’t be as many species on my list today as on yesterday’s—but still it was an awesome day.
Spooked a grouse, spied a raven, spied a kestrel, barely spied a well-camouflaged thrush, heard two dueling sapsuckers drumming.
The afternoon was less windy, with mostly blue skies and warm enough temps (about 60° (F)) that I wore a thin t-shirt when dog and I went on a dump run.
Spring is hard to pin down around here—which is what makes it so fun.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:13 a.m. real time (8:13 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. American Robin** (v) 2. Eastern Bluebird 3. Herring Gull* (v) 4. Black-capped Chickadee (v) 5. American Goldfinch** (v) 6. Song Sparrow** (v) 7. American Crow* 8. American Kestrel 9. Common Raven 10. Yellow-rumped Warbler 11. Ruffed Grouse 12. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 13. Hermit Thrush 14. Tufted Titmouse (v) 15. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (drumming) 16. Eastern Phoebe (v) 17. Broad-winged Hawk† 18. Blue Jay (v)
Elsewhere
19. Mallard 20. Wild Turkey 21. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v) 22. House Sparrow 23. Canada Goose 24. Rock Pigeon
Mammals
Eastern Gray Squirrel
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
My favorite sparrow is the Savannah Sparrow. This sweet little bird is a fan of the blueberry barrens of Beech Hill Preserve during breeding season, then they leave for points south (as far as the Yucatan Peninsula) in winter. Similar to a Song Sparrow but with lighter-colored, more dapper-looking attire, and sporting a yellow eyebrow.
Most fun for me is their insect-like song—a sibilant trill with occasional other notes, often ending in a little hiccup.
Thus, it was with some excitement that I came upon a first-of-year Savannah on the hill this chilly overcast morning.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:13 a.m. real time (8:13 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. American Robin** 2. Black-capped Chickadee** 3. Downy Woodpecker 4. Song Sparrow** 5. Red-winged Blackbird (v) 6. Blue Jay (v) 7. Mourning Dove (v) 8. Northern Cardinal** 9. American Crow* 10. Red-breasted Nuthatch** (v) 11. Chipping Sparrow 12. Eastern Towhee 13. Field Sparrow 14. American Goldfinch 15. Eastern Phoebe** 16. Yellow-rumped Warbler 17. Tree Swallow 18. Eastern Bluebird 19. Savannah Sparrow† 20. Northern Flicker 21. Hermit Thrush 22. Herring Gull* (v) 23. Brown Creeper (v) 24. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 25. Hairy Woodpecker 26. Common Raven 27. Common Loon (v) 28. Brown-headed Cowbird (v)
