A day much like yesterday, but mostly cloudy and maybe a bit breezier. About the same number of bird species, a nice feeling of being out and about on the surface of our planet, and a generally fun time for dog and me.
No outlandish surprises, true—but I liked getting a good look at my favorite sparrow on my favorite coastal hill.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 8:08 a.m., I hiked most trails.
Still a cool spring morning, but with a warm sun and dappled sky. I was worried about Captain Jack (who had overnight intestinal issues)—but on the trail, he seemed the same good strong old dog as ever.
And despite the distraction about his health, I managed to beat the last couple days’ lists by a single bird.
Most memorable moment was perhaps a Yellow Warbler’s decision to sing from a high perch on a spruce at the summit—which made for a far clearer photo than I took of this same bird yesterday.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 8:37 a.m., I hiked most trails.
1. Red-eyed Vireo** 2. Ovenbird** 3. Black-throated Green Warbler (v) 4. Song Sparrow* 5. Northern Cardinal** (v) 6. Veery (v) 7. Wood Thrush (v) 8. Chestnut-sided Warbler 9. Black-and-white Warbler 10. American Redstart** (v) 11. American Goldfinch (v) 12. American Crow* 13. Alder Flycatcher 14. Gray Catbird** 15. Black-capped Chickadee** (v) 16. Eastern Towhee 17. Common Yellowthroat 18. Tufted Titmouse (v) 19. Yellow Warbler 20. Eastern Phoebe* 21. Blue Jay (v) 22. Chipping Sparrow** (v) 23. Tree Swallow 24. Field Sparrow 25. Prairie Warbler 26. American Robin* 27. Eastern Bluebird 28. Savannah Sparrow 29. Turkey Vulture 30. Common Raven (v) 31. Purple Finch 32. Eastern Wood-pewee (v) 33. Brown Creeper 34. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 35. Downy Woodpecker (v)
Elsewhere
36. Great Crested Flycatcher (v)
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
Stayed up late last night, slept late-ish this morning. Captain Jack and I didn’t make it to the hill until about 8 o’clock sun time. Sunny and cool and breezy, didn’t think I’d list so many birds at the late hour—but turned out I matched yesterday’s total number of species.
No firsts-of-year, no lifers. Mostly the usual suspects (along with a calling Black-billed Cuckoo, a species I hope to catch sight of one day). Some posed, although my captures tended toward the plain.
Still, what a lovely morning, and what a magical place we get to hang out in every day, dog and me.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 9:01 a.m., I hiked most trails.
