Red-shouldered Hawk.

Awoke to a chill and a little snow shower, but by late morning the sun had emerged, so—it being Eastern Sunday—I reckoned I should take a nice bright hike with Jack. However, as we arrived at the preserve, I noticed a huge blue-gray mass gathering over the inland hills. More snow, no doubt. But that was OK with us.

Northern Harrier.

On the way up, I spotted a lone, lazy Turkey Vulture, a lone, flap-flap-flapping Sharp-tailed Hawk, a cruising Northern Harrier, and a hovering Red-tailed Hawk. Just as we got to the summit, the snow begin to fly. And, wow, what a squall. We hung out on the porch of Beech Nut, on the lee side, and watched the view become obscured. It was kind of amazing, tell you the truth, being up there just me and dog, hearing a distant siren above the sound of the wind in the spruce grove, little tiny snowflakes flying all around.

Finally it let up, as I knew it would, and the wide blue sky came back. And I saw a lone, handsome Red-shouldered Hawk float by down over the southeastern slope. In early spring, a hilltop will get you some hawks.

Had a ton of work to do—on taxes and the regular kind—some of which frustrated me.

But know what? All in all it was a pretty good day.

Beech Hill List
Beginning at 11 a.m., I hiked the open trail.

1. Turkey Vulture
2. Song Sparrow*
3. American Crow*
4. Sharp-shinned Hawk
5. Red-tailed Hawk
6. Northern Harrier
7. Black-capped Chickadee (v)**
8. Herring Gull*
9. Red-shouldered Hawk†

Elsewhere

10. House Sparrow
11. Dark-eyed Junco
12. American Robin
13. White-throated Sparrow (v)

v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
†First-of-year bird