Overcast and cool (low-60s (F)) this morning, with just a whisper of a breeze. Quiet on the trail first thing, but occasional calls came through. They’re moving around, the migratory species. They’re readying for the long fall journey.
Notably, more orioles today, and a minor fly hatch atop the summit spruce grove. But most notably was the circling collection of about a dozen barn swallows, a few families catching flies.
And the last bird on my list? A loon calling from not that far above the trees as we neared the end of our hike, dog and me.
(Today I booked dog and me a ferry and room for a Monhegan birding trip next month. It’s been more than three years. Excited.)
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:25 a.m., I hiked most trails.
1. Red-eyed Vireo (v) 2. American Crow* 3. American Goldfinch 4. Black-capped Chickadee 5. Tufted Titmouse (v) 6. Blue Jay (v) 7. Black-and-white Warbler (v) 8. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 9. American Robin 10. Red-bellied Woodpecker (v) 11. Ovenbird 12. Eastern Wood-pewee 13. Brown Creeper (v) 14. Eastern Phoebe* 15. Eastern Towhee 16. Alder Flycatcher 17. Gray Catbird** 18. Northern Flicker 19. Cedar Waxwing 20. Yellow Warbler (v) 21. White-throated Sparrow (v) 22. Baltimore Oriole 23. Barn Swallow 24. Song Sparrow 25. Field Sparrow 26. Least Flycatcher (v) 27. Common Yellowthroat (v) 28. Chestnut-sided Warbler 29. Common Loon (v)
Elsewhere
30. Mourning Dove 31. Herring Gull 32. Rock Dove
Mammals
American Red Squirrel
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
This morning was a warm one. About room temperature when dog and I started up the trail, but muggy. And by the time we returned a couple hours or so later, it felt like at least 80-something.
Quite a number of bird species nonetheless, including many juvies. Oddly, only one waxwing—perhaps in part because yesterday’s early t-shower seems to have ended the fly hatch.
Had thirty species total. And a good time was had by all.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:22 a.m., I hiked most trails.
1. Red-eyed Vireo 2. Song Sparrow 3. American Crow 4. American Goldfinch 5. Northern Cardinal 6. Black-capped Chickadee 7. Downy Woodpecker 8. Eastern Wood-pewee 9. Brown Creeper 10. White-breasted Nuthatch 11. Tufted Titmouse 12. Black-and-white Warbler 13. Black-throated Green Warbler 14. Blue Jay 15. Hermit Thrush 16. Red-bellied Woodpecker 17. American Robin 18. Hairy Woodpecker 19. Northern Flicker 20. Eastern Towhee 21. Alder Flycatcher 22. Gray Catbird 23. Yellow Warbler 24. Field Sparrow 25. Mourning Dove 26. Barn Swallow 27. Turkey Vulture 28. House Finch 29. Cedar Waxwing 30. Chestnut-sided Warbler
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
In the wee hours this morning, dog and I were awakened by a lightning strike about a block away. Crack! (So near, there was no rumble following.) And then it began to rain. I checked the weather radar, and a solitary thundershower was basically centered directly above us—the only precipitation in the state.
By daylight, much of the rain had evaporated in the warm air, turning it muggy. And during our hike, the birds were quieter than on recent mornings. But, as always, we were both amused and inspired.
Most notable: a solitary brown thrasher popped up between the woods and open fields. A first-of-year bird.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:40 a.m., I hiked most trails.
1. Red-eyed Vireo 2. American Crow* (v) 3. Black-throated Green Warbler (v) 4. American Goldfinch** 5. Hermit Thrush 6. Black-capped Chickadee** 7.White-breasted Nuthatch** (v) 8. Eastern Wood-pewee 9. Tufted Titmouse (v) 10. Northern Flicker 11. Downy Woodpeckers 12. Eastern Towhee 13. Alder Flycatcher 14. Gray Catbird 15. Song Sparrow* 16. Common Yellowthroat 17. Cedar Waxwing 18. Yellow Warbler (v) 19. Barn Swallow 20. American Robin* 21. Ruby-throated Hummingbird 22. House Wren (v) 23. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v) 24. Least Flycatcher (v) 25. Brown Thrasher† 26. Northern Cardinal* (v)
Elsewhere
27. Rock Pigeon
Mammals
Eastern Gray Squirrel
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
