Cool and overcast at the start of our hike, and humid, with very little wind. Thick fog and drippy at the summit of the hill, with low visibility. But never mind the weather—a lot going on out there.
For one thing, fledglings. I could hear them calling from their hiding places in the thick summer foliage. And I spied several adults with beaks crammed with food. I even spotted a few fledglings—Hermit Thrushes staying still, Hairy Woodpeckers begging from their mom.
Short-tailed Weasel.
Another exceptional moment: a Short-tailed Weasel bounding along the trail toward dog and me, pulling up short, then dashing off into the shrubbery again. Returning, seeing us, dashing off. Returning a third time.
(Never saw it after the third time, but did manage to grab a quick photo.)
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:30 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. Red-eyed Vireo** (v) 2. Song Sparrow 3. Black-throated Green Warbler (v) 4. Ovenbird** 5. American Redstart** 6. Veery 7. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 8. Northern Cardinal** (v) 9. Eastern Towhee 10. Gray Catbird 11. Chestnut-sided Warbler 12. American Goldfinch 13. Pileated Woodpecker (v) 14. American Crow* (v) 15. Black-capped Chickadee 16. Northern Flicker 17. American Woodcock 18. Common Yellowthroat 19. Alder Flycatcher 20. Yellow Warbler 21. Northern Parula (v) 22. House Wren (v) 23. American Robin (v) 24. Black-billed Cuckoo (v) 25. Scarlet Tanager (v) 26. Hairy Woodpecker 27. Downy Woodpecker 28. Eastern Wood-pewee 29. Eastern Phoebe
Elsewhere
30. Wild Turkey
Mammals
Short-tailed Weasel
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
The first warm spring day of 2019. I mean, truly warm. Plenty of birds about—including a first-of-year House Wren in “my” birch tree. Flycatchers, another Swainson’s Thrush.
Looks like the hill will have no Savannah Sparrows, though, for the first year I can remember.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:30 a.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. Ovenbird** (v) 2. American Redstart** 3. Black-and-white Warbler 4. Chestnut-sided Warbler** 5. Black-capped Chickadee (v) 6. Red-eyed Vireo** 7. American Goldfinch** 8. Gray Catbird* 9. Swainson’s Thrush 10. Hairy Woodpecker 11. Northern Parula** 12. Least Flycatcher** 13. Black-throated Green Warbler (v) 14. Eastern Towhee 15. Common Yellowthroat *(v) 16. Yellow Warbler** 17. Eastern Wood-pewee (v) 18. Wood Thrush* 19. Alder Flycatcher 20. Blue Jay* 21. Tree Swallow* 22. Broad-winged Hawk* 23. Purple Finch (v) 24. Eastern Phoebe** 25. Field Sparrow 26. American Crow* 27. Eastern Kingbird 28. Mourning Dove* 29. House Wren 30. Ruffed Grouse (drumming) 31. Song Sparrow** 32. Tufted Titmouse** (v) 33. Hermit Thrush (v) 34. Great Crested Flycatcher (v) 35. Northern Flicker (v) 36. Black-throated Blue Warbler (v)
Elsewhere
37. House Finch (v) 38. Wild Turkey 39. Herring Gull 40. Double-crested Cormorant 41. American Robin 42. European Starling 43. Chipping Sparrow (v) 44. Brown-headed Cowbird 45. Common Grackle
v = Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere
