The forecast was for a chance of snow showers most of today, so I wore my big winter coat despite temperatures of just above freezing. And snow it did. A good few inches of wet, wind-blown snow. Captain Jack and I ended up sopping wet at the end of our fun, quiet, snowy hike.
Few birds on the hill—saw a dozen robins, three other species—but a little gang of Mallards showed up at home after our return. Thus today’s photo.
Snowed for most of the day, making for slow traffic, an accident or two on the roads, and just an interesting winter’s spate of errands. But the sun’s supposed to emerge tomorrow, so likely a different bird situation.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:38 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. American Crow* (v) 2. Northern Flicker (v) 3. American Robin 4. American Goldfinch (v)
Elsewhere
5. Mallard 6. Herring Gull 7. Rock Pigeon 8. Bald Eagle
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
Welp, we’re supposed to get quite the winter snowstorm tonight and tomorrow, part of a continent-wide weather system crossing the country east to west. So today stood as a sort of blue-sky respite: chilly, a bit breezy, but lovely—and with quite a few nice birds.
Bluebirds still, along with the usual other suspects and a too-shy Brown Creeper. But most exciting was the last bird on my morning list—a lone Bald Eagle flying by in the mostly blue sky above the Beech Hill summit.
Tomorrow, from what I gather, dog and I will be hiking in snow up an already snowy hill. (Will report back.)
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:53 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. Tufted Titmouse (v) 2. American Crow* 3. Black-capped Chickadee** 4. Downy Woodpecker (v) 5. Hairy Woodpecker (v) 6. American Goldfinch 7. White-breasted Nuthatch** 8. Brown Creeper 9. Eastern Bluebird 10. American Robin 11. Bald Eagle
Elsewhere
12. Carolina Wren 13. Herring Gull 14. Rock Pigeon
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
Yes, it was warmer this morning—much warmer. And by the time dog and I started our hike, warmer still. (And in afternoon, very much warmer.) Overcast, with a hazy sun occasionally, but warm, and only breezy.
As I kind of suspected would happen after so great a windblown chill, the birds came back. Had a dozen species today—including a Bald Eagle flyby, at which point my camera froze and didn’t save my photos (grr)—some of which posed. It was a comfortable hike, a good one. Even a great one.
Thankful I can do this daily, and for my daily companion. ??
Beech Hill List Beginning at 8:29 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. American Crow (v) 2. Tufted Titmouse 3. Bald Eagle 4. Northern Flicker (v) 5. Common Raven (v) 6. American Robin 7. Black-capped Chickadee 8. Brown Creeper 9. American Goldfinch** (v) 10. White-breasted Nuthatch** 11. Dark-eyed Junco 12. Downy Woodpecker
Elsewhere
13. Blue Jay
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
