A mostly sunny morning, calm, about freezing. First full day of spring.
I kept my ear and eye out for spring things today as dog and I headed up the wooded trail. Singers included chickadees and titmice and cardinals and Brown Creepers. Fourteen species total on the hill—but the most noteworthy bird for me today was elsewhere.
In a residential area near Clam Cove after our hike, I happened to hear a singing Song Sparrow, a first of year for me. This sparrow is a favorite, evocative of spring generally, especially when it first returns from away.
Just listening to that sparrow’s song lifted my mood, affirmed my optimism, and improved my general outlook on the world—at least for this one day.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 6:48 a.m. (7:48 stupid DST), I hiked all trails.
1. American Goldfinch (v) 2. Tufted Titmouse** (v) 3. Northern Cardinal** (v) 4. American Crow* 5. Black-capped Chickadee** 6. Downy Woodpecker (drumming) 7. White-breasted Nuthatch 8. Brown Creeper 9. American Robin 10. Northern Flicker 11. Dark-eyed Junco 12. Yellow-rumped Warbler 13. Eastern Bluebird 14. Blue Jay
Elsewhere
15. Mourning Dove 16. Song Sparrow (v)† 17. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v) 18. Herring Gull
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
Spring’s definitely a-comin’—albeit after another winter storm or two. Next Tuesday, for instance, we’re supposed to get between six and twelve inches of snow. Meanwhile, though, we get a day like today: nearly cloudless, just above freezing, a little thawy, moderate breezes, and with a Ruffed Grouse flushed along the trail.
I thought I should see at least one bluebird on my hike with dog this morning. And I did see one. Blue sky, modernately favorable atmospheric conditions—and you can generally depend don a bluebird.
(Most notable sighting this morning, though, was the flushed grouse.)
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:31 a.m. (8:31 stupid DST), I hiked all trails.
1. Tufted Titmouse (v) 2. Black-capped Chickadee** 3. American Crow* 4. Ruffed Grouse 5. American Goldfinch (v) 6. Blue Jay (v) 7. American Robin 8. Eastern Bluebird
Elsewhere
9. Herring Gull 10. Mourning Dove
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
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
