At sunrise this morning, the air temperature was in the 40s (F). (Don’t think it even touched freezing last night.) Also bright and sunny. I was hoping for a bluebird day, but there was quite a little wind at the summit of the hill.

Not huge numbers of birds (or species), but the usual suspects. Titmouse, chickadee, crow, robin. Heard a finch, saw a red-tail (perhaps the most notable sighting today), heard—and spied from a distance (no photos darn it) a big, healthy raven.

Returning up the hill after we’d made the full hike, I heard bluebirds—and sure enough, a pair were hanging out on a bird box near Beech Hill Road. And later, more robins.

Two thrushes that seem to stick around all winter these warmer days.

[In past years, there were always winter days when I had no birds on my list, but not this winter so far.]

Beech Hill List
Beginning at 7:50 a.m., I hiked all trails.

1. Tufted Titmouse (v)
2. Black-capped Chickadee** (v)
3. American Robin
4. American Crow*
5. House Finch (v)
6. Red-tailed Hawk
7. Common Raven
8. Eastern Bluebird
9. Downy Woodpecker (v)

Elsewhere

10. Northern Cardinal (v)

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