A sunny, warm morning hike with dog, birding friends, and interesting birds. Most fun, perhaps, was the appearance of a curious, chipping fledgling cardinal. Also another random Blue-headed Vireo. Another random Barn Swallow (solo this time).
On this warm afternoon I rode 14 miles on my bicycle, where I added a few other species and enjoyed the endorphins and the feeling of the wind in my ears.
We’ll do it again tomorrow, dog and me.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 6:57 a.m. sun time (7:57 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. Brown Creeper (v) 2. Ovenbird 3. Red-eyed Vireo (v) 4. Eastern Wood-pewee* 5. Black-and-white Warbler 6. Blue Jay (v) 7. Tufted Titmouse (v) 8. Song Sparrow** 9. Chestnut-sided Warbler** 10. Northern Cardinal** 11. Veery (v) 12. Hairy Woodpecker (v) 13. Black-capped Chickadee 14. American Goldfinch 15. Black-throated Blue Warbler (v) 16. Eastern Towhee 17. Black-throated Green Warbler (v) 18. Hermit Thrush (v) 19. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v) 20. Gray Catbird** 21. Common Yellowthroat (v) 22. Field Sparrow (v) 23. Alder Flycatcher (v) 24. Yellow Warbler (v) 25. American Redstart (v) 26. Eastern Bluebird 27. Barn Swallow 28. Eastern Phoebe (v) 29. Rose-breasted Grosbeak (v) 30. Broad-winged Hawk 31. Turkey Vulture 32. American Robin 33. Red-winged Blackbird (v) 34. Chipping Sparrow (v) 35. Blue-headed Vireo (v) 36. American Crow* 37. Cedar Waxwing
Elsewhere
38. Mallard 39. Mourning Dove 40. Herring Gull 41. House Finch 42. Rock Pigeon
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
Third straight amazing skies in a row this morning with Captain Jack. Less sun, more shadow—rain in the offing—which might have to do with lighter bird numbers. But two new firsts-of-years showed up on the hill: a pair of Chimney Swifts and a pair of Barn Swallows. Also heard a cuckoo, which was fun.
Plus, I had chats with several fellow hikers—including a few out-of-staters, as the season has arrived.
We got a little wet on our return hike, but it was a light rain, which just added to the fun.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:55 a.m. sun time (8:55 DST), I hiked all trails.
Got busy this morning and had a late start today. But yet another day of dramatic skies and—like yesterday—a list of thirty-nine bird species.
Most notable to me was the surprise appearance of a Wood Thrush right along the trail right in front of dog and me. I even managed a not-great photo of it. Also noteworthy was a solitary first-of-year Bank Swallow flying over the summit of the hill.
Looking forward to what tomorrow might bring.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 10:09 a.m. sun time (11:09 DST), I hiked all trails.
