Got to the hill early, considering today was forecast to be perhaps the hottest day of the year. In the 70s (F) already by the time we began our hike, dog and me. Wildflowers, blueberries, dragonflies.
Plenty of birds were also about, along with a few humans. And lots and lots of monarchs. Humid. Steamy. Luscious.
Sure enough turned into a scorcher, with a high in the 90s in afternoon. Kind of dug it, actually
Beech Hill List Beginning at 6:30 a.m., I hiked the open trail.
Up early. Lots of cool birds—including a wayward immature Yellow-rumped Warbler. Otherwise, we’ve got a hill full of baby birds, their little voices piercing the stillness.
Began coolish but soon got downrigh warm. Local outsided temperatures—even tonight— are in the upper-80s.
Pleased with how things are going.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 6:45 a.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. Red-eyed Vireo (v) 2. Tufted Titmouse 3. Chestnut-sided Warbler 4. Rose-breasted Grosbeak (v) 5. American Goldfinch** 6. American Robin (v) 7. Song Sparrow** (v) 8. Ovenbird (v) 9. Common Yellowthroat 10. Tree Swallow 11. American Crow* 12. Eastern Towhee* 13. Alder Flycatcher (v) 14. Gray Catbird 15. Savannah Sparrow 16. Yellow-rumped Warbler 17. Northern Cardinal** (v) 18. Field Sparrow 19. Mourning Dove* 20. Veery (v) 21. Eastern Bluebird 22. Black-and-white Warbler (v) 23. Northern Flicker 24. Cedar Waxwing (v) 25. Yellow Warbler (v) 26. Chipping Sparrow* (v)
Elsewhere
27. Wild Turkey 28. Turkey Vulture 29. Rock Pigeon
v = Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere
I see finches nearly every day on the hill during high season. Goldfinches and Purple Finches, usually. Today I saw (or heard) both species. They sing familiar songs and have familiar personalities.
Today dog and I happened to be at the early summit when two male goldfinches decided to have a sort of duel. Or standoff. Or joust. Flitting and chattering and chasing each other around. On a cool, breezy, pre-heat wave morning, that’s about all a body can ask for.
I do have a soft spot for finches.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 6:45 a.m., I hiked the open trail.Savann
1. Veery** (v) 2. Red-eyed Vireo (v) 3. Song Sparrow** 4. Chestnut-sided Warbler 5. Rose-breasted Grosbeak (v) 6. Gray Catbird** 7. Chipping Sparrow* 8. Ovenbird (v) 9. Eastern Towhee 10. American Goldfinch** 11. Alder Flycatcher (v) 12. Tree Swallow 13. American Robin 14. Savannah Sparrow 15. Mourning Dove 16. American Crow 17. Common Yellowthroat 18. Northern Cardinal** (v) 19. Eastern Phoebe* 20. Northern Flicker (v) 21. Purple Finch (v) 22. Tufted Titmouse (v) 23. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 24. Downy Woodpecker (v) 25. Field Sparrow 26. Blue Jay (v) 27. Rose-breasted Grosbeak (v) 28.Yellow Warbler (v) 29. Hairy Woodpecker 30. Black-capped Chickadee (v)
Elsewhere
32. Ruby-throated Hummingbird 33. Herring Gull
v = Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere
