The morning was chilly (30s (F) to start), but little wind, and the sun shone through, and spring birds were abundant—if not necessarily wanting their photo taken.
Still, it was lovely to encounter a singing first-of-year Blue-headed Vireo. Also five woodpecker species, three thrush species, a pair of warbler species, a kestrel, a turkey, a blackbird, and more.
Tomorrow will be cloudy, with rain coming later. Already looking forward to it.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 5:31 a.m. real time (6:31 DST), I hiked all trails.
My favorite sparrow is the Savannah Sparrow. This sweet little bird is a fan of the blueberry barrens of Beech Hill Preserve during breeding season, then they leave for points south (as far as the Yucatan Peninsula) in winter. Similar to a Song Sparrow but with lighter-colored, more dapper-looking attire, and sporting a yellow eyebrow.
Most fun for me is their insect-like song—a sibilant trill with occasional other notes, often ending in a little hiccup.
Thus, it was with some excitement that I came upon a first-of-year Savannah on the hill this chilly overcast morning.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:13 a.m. real time (8:13 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. American Robin** 2. Black-capped Chickadee** 3. Downy Woodpecker 4. Song Sparrow** 5. Red-winged Blackbird (v) 6. Blue Jay (v) 7. Mourning Dove (v) 8. Northern Cardinal** 9. American Crow* 10. Red-breasted Nuthatch** (v) 11. Chipping Sparrow 12. Eastern Towhee 13. Field Sparrow 14. American Goldfinch 15. Eastern Phoebe** 16. Yellow-rumped Warbler 17. Tree Swallow 18. Eastern Bluebird 19. Savannah Sparrow† 20. Northern Flicker 21. Hermit Thrush 22. Herring Gull* (v) 23. Brown Creeper (v) 24. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 25. Hairy Woodpecker 26. Common Raven 27. Common Loon (v) 28. Brown-headed Cowbird (v)
A glimpse of sun preceded my morning hike with Captain Jack, but most of the hike itself happened in a hazy fog. Not so drippy as the past couple days, and birdier, but the sun didn’t return until afternoon (after a patch of rain).
No firsts-of-year, but the towhee’s still hanging around. Four woodpecker species, three thrushes, and a random Killdeer flyover. Notable was a late Turkey Vulture—and then seven or eight TVs flew over the house later in the day. Spring migration, y’all.
But, yes, it was a lovely, foggy morning—and in afternoon, between showers, I rode my bike around doing errands. I love this day.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 6:51 a.m. real time (7:51 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. Dark-eyed Junco 2. American Robin 3. Song Sparrow** 4. American Goldfinch 5. Northern Cardinal** 6. Hermit Thrush 7. Black-capped Chickadee 8. Chipping Sparrow (v) 9. Tufted Titmouse** (v) 10. Eastern Phoebe 11. American Crow* 12. Eastern Towhee (v) 13. Field Sparrow (v) 14. Yellow-rumped Warbler 15. Killdeer 16. Herring Gull* (v) 17. Pileated Woodpecker (v) 18. Brown Creeper (v) 19. Downy Woodpecker (v) 20. Red-bellied Woodpecker (v) 21. Northern Flicker (v) 22. Eastern Bluebird 23. Blue Jay (v) 24. Turkey Vulture* 25. Brown-headed Cowbird
Elsewhere
26. Wild Turkey 27. White-breasted Nuthatch (v)
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
