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
Another chilly, gusty morning—but this time with a bright blue sky above my dog and me. Also birds. Many more birds (and species) than the past two mornings.
Most notable was the flush of a couple (or three?) American Woodcock on our way up the wooded trail just below the summit. I suspect a traveling family. And another family—phoebe fledglings—not far below that same area on our return trip.
Couldn’t get a photo of a calling Pileated Woodpecker near the end of our early hike—but I did get a pretty nice pic of a Song Sparrow.
Tomorrow, summer!
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:22 a.m., I hiked most trails.
In my thirty-something days of Maine hikes with dog so far, I’ve noticed a few differences in the bird populations from when we moved to Utah in the summer of 2019. For one thing, a Prairie Warbler—once an uncommon (but thrilling) visitor to Beech Hill—has claimed its territory. Clearly global warming has brought this species farther north.
For another thing, after hearing Scarlet Tanagers weeks earlier than usual, I have yet to see one. Have they moved through? Are they nesting already? Will I see fledglings?
Meanwhile, I’ve encountered no Black-throated Blue Warbler. My favorite wood-warbler, I miss seeing and hearing this lovely looking (and sounding) bird. Very few waxwings also. And of course there was that Summer Tanager a couple weeks ago.
But it’s still a bit early yet. I’ll get a better idea once fledglings emerge. Another miracle to look forward to.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:30 a.m., I hiked most trails.
1. Red-eyed Vireo** 2. Ovenbird** 3. Eastern Phoebe* 4. Black-throated Green Warbler (v) 5. Common Yellowthroat 6. Veery (v) 7. American Goldfinch 8. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v) 9. American Crow* (v) 10. American Redstart** (v) 11. Chestnut-sided Warbler** 12. Black-capped Chickadee** (v) 13. Gray Catbird* 14. Alder Flycatcher 15. Eastern Towhee 16. Tufted Titmouse (v) 17. Eastern Wood-pewee 18. Black-and-white Warbler (v) 19. Yellow Warbler 20. Black-billed Cuckoo (v) 21. American Woodcock† 22. Song Sparrow* 23. Tree Swallow 24. Osprey 25. Chipping Sparrow 26. Prairie Warbler 27. House Wren 28. Turkey Vulture 29. Rose-breasted Grosbeak (v) 30. Northern Parula (v) 31. Field Sparrow (v) 32. Broad-winged Hawk 33. American Robin (v) 34. Northern Cardinal** (v)
Elsewhere
35. Mallard 36. European Starling 37. Herring Gull 38. Rock Pigeon 39. Double-crested Cormorant
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
