Rain was in this morning’s forecast as late as last evening. Rain did not occur. Instead, an early foggy overcast burned away to let the sun shine through. The birds seemed to appreciate it.
Not that we encountered any particularly odd species, dog and me—although we did spook a grouse—but they were busily angling for food, feeding youngsters, posing for closeups, flying over at a distant, vocalizing while staying out of sight.
Tomorrow, however, I expect the forecast rain (or showers) will arrive. Will be ready for it.
Beech Hill List Starting at 6:37 a.m. EST (7:37 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. Red-eyed Vireo** 2. Ovenbird** 3. Eastern Phoebe 4. Black-throated Green Warbler 5. Eastern Wood-pewee 6. Blue Jay 7. Hairy Woodpecker 8. Northern Cardinal 9. Veery 10. Black-capped Chickadee 11. Osprey 12. White-breasted Nuthatch 13. Black-and-white Warbler 14. American Goldfinch 15. American Crow 16. Scarlet Tanager 17. Hermit Thrush 18. Tufted Titmouse 19. Eastern Towhee 20. Pileated Woodpecker 21. Chestnut-sided Warbler 22. American Redstart 23. Alder Flycatcher 24. Gray Catbird 25. Song Sparrow 26. Yellow Warbler 27. Chipping Sparrow 28. Ruffed Grouse 29. American Robin 30. Cedar Waxwing 31. Common Yellowthroat 32. Field Sparrow 33. Eastern Bluebird 34. Red-winged Blackbird
Again Jack and I hiked the Ragged Mountain Snow Bowl trails with our best dog and human friends. Warm again but not as bright, with rain in the late-morning forecast. Not the number of bird species as last time, but still a fun hike in a different place with a lot going on.
Saw my first bluebird fledgling up there perched on a lift cable. Also a starling clearly nesting somewhere up there among the gears.
Tomorrow it’ll be back to Beech Hill, but we’ll hit the mountain again soon, I bet.
(An alphabetized list again.)
Camden Snow Bowl Trails List Starting at 6:48 a.m. EST (7:48 DST), I hiked some Camden Snow Bowl trails.
1. Alder Flycatcher 2. American Goldfinch 3. American Redstart (v) 4. American Robin* 5. Baltimore Oriole (v) 6. Black-and-white Warbler (v) 7. Brown Creeper (v) 8. Cedar Waxwing 9. Chipping Sparrow (v) 10. Common Yellowthroat (v) 11. Eastern Bluebird 12. Eastern Phoebe* (v) 13. Eastern Towhee (v) 14. Eastern Wood-pewee (v) 15. European Starling 16. Great Crested Flycatcher 17. Least Flycatcher (v) 18. Mourning Dove** (v) 19. Ovenbird (v) 20. Red-eyed Vireo** (v) 21. Red-winged Blackbird 22. Ruby-crowned Kinglet (v) 24. Scarlet Tanager (v) 24. Song Sparrow* 25. Tree Swallow 26. Tufted Titmouse (v) 27. Turkey Vulture 28. Wild Turkey 29. Yellow Warbler (v)
Elsewhere
30. Mallard 31. Red-bellied Woodpecker (v) 32. American Crow
Mammals
Eastern Chipmunk
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
Another blue-sky morning, with temps in the 50s (F) to start but rising steadily. Mostly calm, slight breeze. The birds are a little quieter these days, I figure because there are nestlings and fledglings about. I’ve been seeing many adults with grubs and caterpillars in their beaks—and evening a few babies getting fed.
Therefore I supposed it’s not surprising that, when dog and I stopped at the hut on the summit this morning, I took a peek at this year’s phoebe nest. sure enough, at least three little birdies in there.
Also spied first fireweed today. I love this time of year.
Beech Hill List Starting at 7:06 a.m. EST (8:06 DST), I hiked all trails.
