A warm, humid morning, this one. Dog and I headed up the trail at the usual time, unsure (at least I was) of what birds we’d encounter under such suddenly interesting conditions.
Quite a few, turns out—including a couple of surprises.
E.g., an Eastern Kingbird showed up out of nowhere and commenced to chasing other birds around. Another example: I happened to spy a juvie Brown-headed Cowbird. Possibly (judging by the nearness of a pair of them) raised by Yellow Warblers.
But this morning’s most photogenic bird? A Chestnut-sided Warbler.
Beech Hill List Starting at 6:32 a.m. EST (7:32 DST), I hiked all trails.
A warm and sunny morning for a change, leading to a warmer late morning and midday. During my daily hike with dog, it seemed everywhere I looked I saw birds with bills full of insects. Hungry fledglings all over the place.
Plenty of birds were singing, also, voicing their territorial claims. A particular Black-and-white Warbler stopped singing and posed for a photo.
Warm again tomorrow, so they say. I expect similar bird behavior on the hill.
(In late afternoon, I hiked with a friend up Ragged Mountain and heard the hoots of a Barred Owl.)
Beech Hill List Starting at 6:01 a.m. EST (7:01 DST), I hiked all trails.
This morning was overcast and warmish and humid and a bit drippy, but you could see the bay islands for the first time in a week or more. Plus, the sun emerged a time or two during my hike with dog. Fewer birds than in recent days—likely because they were laying low. Because of all the youngsters.
You’ll hear a lot of warning chips this time of year. Also the sounds of begging fledglings. And early nestlings are now at the “immature” stage, like a young robin I saw today.
Had a nice bit of warmth and sun this afternoon. Been a while. More possible tomorrow (also thunderstorms), and even more on Thursday.
Beech Hill List Starting at 6:37 a.m. EST (7:37 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. Chestnut-sided Warbler** 2. Red-eyed Vireo** 3. American Goldfinch 4. Black-throated Green Warbler (v) 5. Black-capped Chickadee** 6. Ovenbird (v) 7. Veery(( (v) 8. Song Sparrow 9. White-breasted Nuthatch** 10. American Crow* 11. Gray Catbird** 12. Eastern Towhee** 13. Black-and-white Warbler (v) 14. Northern Parula (v) 15. Common Yellowthroat 16. Eastern Bluebird 17. Yellow Warbler 18. American Robin 19. Field Sparrow (v) 20. Cedar Waxwing 21. Alder Flycatcher (v) 22. Prairie Warbler (v) 23. Eastern Wood-pewee (v) 24. Rose-breasted Grosbeak (v) 25. Blue Jay (v) 26. Wood Thrush (v) 27. Tufted Titmouse 28. Hairy Woodpecker
