Rained pretty much all night, as forecast. I knew the landscape would be transformed this morning—and it was. Not in a bad way, but under overcast skies, up a foggy trail, in warmish temperatures, dog and I hiked alone. Heard a few birds, but what with the fog, I didn’t expect to get any good photos.

I was wrong.

Because as we wandered down through the trail’s woodland loop, I heard a distinctively slow tap, tap, tap of a particular woodpecker: a Pileated Woodpecker. Sure enough, I spotted the guy, took a few photos, and felt like I’d actually accomplished something.

Then coming back over the open trail, we came upon bluebirds and a yellow-rump or two. Ended up with ten species, much to my surprise.

Tomorrow the sun’s supposed to shine.

Beech Hill List
Beginning at 8:36 a.m., I hiked all trails.

1. Blue Jay
2. American Crow*
3. Tufted Titmouse (v)
4. Purple Finch (v)
5. Black-capped Chickadee**
6. Pine Siskin (v)
7. American Robin
8. Pileated Woodpecker
9. Yellow-rumped Warbler
10. Eastern Bluebird
11. White-breasted Nuthatch (v)

Mammals

American Red Squirrel

(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
†First-of-year