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 morning much like yesterday’s, only a mite cooler and not quite as much wind. Nor quite as many bird species—but close!
First-of-year bird: Carolina Wren singing down by the wooded trailhead. Other encounters of note: five woodpecker species, mating bluebirds, an active Tree Swallow, a grouse that might’ve had chicks, an Osprey with a fish, a white-tail bounding through the woods.
The landscape has dried up a lot lately—alarmingly so. No deer ticks, true, but not as much water as there should be. However, rain is in the forecast for the days ahead.
As are many more first-of-year species.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 6:27 a.m. real time (7:27 DST), I hiked all trails.
