An overcast morning, calm and cool. Birds weren’t particularly vocal, so I wondered if the atmospheric conditions might keep this morning’s numbers down—but it turned out they were flitting all over the place.
Notable was a sapsucker that popped up as I was angling for photos of (I believe) a hummingbird. Three thrushes, nine warblers, two birds posing with nesting materials in their beaks (catbird and robin). One of the thrushes was a Prairie Warbler.
No first-of-years, but dog and I didn’t mind.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 8:05 a.m., I hiked most trails.
1. Red-eyed Vireo** (v) 2. Chestnut-sided Warbler** 3. Ovenbird** 4. Black-throated Green Warbler* (v) 5. American Crow* 6. Northern Parula (v) 7. Northern Cardinal (v) 8. Gray Catbird 9. Black-capped Chickadee 10. Great Crested Flycatcher (v) 11. Veery (v) 12. American Goldfinch* 13. American Redstart (v) 14. Eastern Towhee 15. Ruby-throated Hummingbird 16. Black-and-white Warbler 17. Common Yellowthroat (v) 18. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 19. Blue Jay 20. Hermit Thrush 21. Tufted Titmouse** 22. Song Sparrow* 23. Yellow Warbler (v) 24. Common Raven 25. Field Sparrow 26. Eastern Phoebe* (v) 27. Prairie Warbler 28. Tree Swallow 29. American Robin 30. Savannah Sparrow 31. Nashville Warbler 32. Wood Thrush (v) 33. Eastern Bluebird
Had three more first-of-year birds this morning, much to my surprise and delight. Just about every hike with dog has been a delightful surprise since our return, in fact. This morning’s brought first Veery, Great Crested Flycatcher, and Alder Flycatcher of 2022.
Veery (first of year).
A nice hike otherwise, too—chilly, but not too chilly, overcast but not too overcast. Also interesting were the four Wood Ducks that showed up in the green grassy lawn next door.
Rained this eve. Supposed to get warmer this upcoming weekend.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:12 a.m., I hiked most trails.
A second straight windy morning greeted dog and me as we hit the trail—but even windier. Chilly air from the northwest was a-waggin’ the young, leafing-out hardwoods around and making it tough for birds to perch on high. Plus, listening was often a challenge.
Nonetheless, I somehow managed to tally up thirty species on today’s list—including three first-of-year birds.
FOYs are of course fun sightings for avid birders: the after many months away, the old familiar has returned. I’ve had FOY birds just about every day for a week, I bet. And I didn’t even realize I had three today until I viewed my photos, when what I thought was a Red-eyed-Vireo turned out to be a Tennessee Warbler.
Crow dive-bombing a raven, bluebirds taking over the tree swallow box, first-of-year wood-pewee delivering my favorite sound of summer.
Summer will be here before you know it.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:12 a.m., I hiked most trails.
