The forecast called for cloudy skies until afternoon, when scattered thundershowers were possible. In fact, soon after dog and I started up the main trail, it began to rain. Not a gully-washer, just a regular rain shower. The morning was warm enough, with not much wind, and it felt pretty great.
We only did half a hike, though, and so today’s list has far fewer species than usual. And tonight brings a chance of thundershowers. No thunder yet, though.
Beech Hill List Starting at 6:52 a.m. EST (7:52 DST), I hiked the open trail.
1. Eastern Phoebe 2. Red-eyed Vireo (v) 3. American Crow (v) 4. Ovenbird (v) 5. American Robin 6. Song Sparrow 7. Eastern Bluebird 8. Chestnut-sided Warbler (v) 9. American Goldfinch (v) 10. Rose-breasted Grosbeak (v) 11. Eastern Towhee (v) 12. Black-and-white Warbler (v) 13. Black-capped Chickadee (v) 14. Common Yellowthroat 15. Yellow Warbler (v) 16. Gray Catbird (v)
Elsewhere
17. Northern Cardinal (v) 18. Pine Warbler (v)
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
In the cool 60s (F) this morning, with another low layer of fog obscuring things. Soon after Captain Jack and I began our ascent (via the main trail) a light rain began to fall. It didn’t rain for long—but we remained wet while walking through that cloud.
Quite a few birds species, nevertheless—among them a female Rose-breasted Grosbeak with a couple of moths in its beak. A singing Veery also posed, but it’s hard to get an award-winning photo in such dark, dim, gray conditions.
Down on the wooded trail, I heard distant thunder and figured we’d better pick up our pace. But after a few more rumbles, the thunder stopped, and it began to rain lightly again as we descended.
I suppose the thunder was a preview of what’s forecast for tomorrow.
Beech Hill List Starting at 7:12 a.m. EST (8:12 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. Mourning Dove 2. Chestnut-sided Warbler 3. Red-eyed Vireo 4. American Robin 5. Song Sparrow 6. Northern Cardinal 7. American Crow 8. American Goldfinch 9. Ovenbird 10. Black-throated Green Warbler 11. Rose-breasted Grosbeak 12. Cedar Waxwing 13. Common Yellowthroat 14. Gray Catbird 15. Eastern Towhee 16. Northern Parula 17. Blue Jay 18. Black-capped Chickadee 19. Yellow Warbler 20. Downy Woodpecker 21. Hermit Thrush 22. Eastern Wood-pewee 23. White-breasted Nuthatch 24. Veery 25. American Redstart 26. Black-and-white Warbler 27. Northern Flicker 28. Brown Creeper
Elsewhere
29. Rock Pigeon 30. Herring Gull
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
Another warm and humid morn, but not quite as warm or humid as yesterday. More like a nice, deep summer day on the coast of Maine—although, of course, it’s not yet quite deep summer. Still, dog and I enjoyed our familiar hike, and I listed a good number of bird species.
Nothing quite as “exotic” as yesterday’s woodcock, but a singing Yellow Warbler rather summed up the feel of this lovely day.
Beech Hill List Starting at 7:06 a.m. EST (8:06 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (drumming) 2. Red-eyed Vireo** (v) 3. Ovenbird** 4. Tufted Titmouse (v) 5. Eastern Phoebe 6. Black-throated Green Warbler (v) 7. American Goldfinch 8. Brown Creeper (v) 9. Veery (v) 10. Hairy Woodpecker (v) 11. Eastern Wood-pewee (v) 12. Black-capped Chickadee** 13. Blue Jay (v) 14. Hermit Thrush (v) 15. Scarlet Tanager (v) 16. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 17. Black-and-white Warbler (v) 18. Gray Catbird** 19. Common Yellowthroat 20. American Robin* 21. Song Sparrow 22. American Crow* (v) 23. Yellow Warbler 24. Eastern Towhee (v) 25. Eastern Bluebird 26. Cedar Waxwing 27. Field Sparrow (v) 28. Purple Finch (v) 29. Mourning Dove (v) 30. Chestnut-sided Warbler 31. Downy Woodpecker (v) 32. Savannah Sparrow (v)
Elsewhere
33. Mallard 34. Herring Gull
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
