This morning’s hike with dog was short and quick, as I had an appointment that would cut things shorter than usual. But this morning’s hike happened also under sunny skies, which I first thought might mean fewer bird species than during yesterday’s foggy overcast—but no. I had more.
Notable was the fact that a couple of very young birds posed for photos—including a relatively fearless Common Yellowthroat.
After our hike, I met a friend and we walked to a saltwater cove and had a swim—first swim in a good while for me. It was a very good day.
(More sun coming for the rest of the week, or so they say.)
Beech Hill List Starting at 6:51 a.m. EST (7:51 DST), I hiked the wooded trail.
1. Red-eyed Vireo** (v) 2. Eastern Phoebe* 3. Tufted Titmouse** (v) 4. Scarlet Tanager (v) 5. Black-throated Green Warbler (v) 6. Song Sparrow** 7. American Goldfinch (v) 8. Ovenbird** (v) 9. Veery (v) 10. Eastern Towhee 11. Black-capped Chickadee** (v) 12. Eastern Wood-pewee (v) 13. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 14. American Crow* 15. Northern Flicker 16. American Robin* 17. Hairy Woodpecker 18. Blue Jay 19. Gray Catbird** 20. Common Yellowthroat 21. Field Sparrow (v) 22. Cedar Waxwing 23. Eastern Bluebird 24. Yellow Warbler (v) 25. Red-bellied Woodpecker (v) 26. Barn Swallow 27. Purple Finch (v) 28. Downy Woodpecker (v) 29. Brown Creeper (v) 30. Alder Flycatcher (v)
Elsewhere
31. Black-throated Blue Warbler (v) 32. Mourning Dove 33. Herring Gull 34. Common Tern 35. American Black Duck 36. Osprey
Mammals
Eastern Chipmunk
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
Nippy again but calm this morning. Lots of birds out first thing. On my early hike with dog in the blazing sun, we encountered a vulture, a Snow Bunting, assorted other species—including a whole bunch of thrushes.
Specifically, robins and bluebirds. I.e., the usual winter thrushes. And welcome they are on this last full day of the season.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 8:15 a.m., I hiked the open trail.