Years ago, I climbed Beech Hill on a foggy morn, and when I reached the summit, a raven flew by, and let me take its photo. I recall being thrilled at that moment. It was almost as if we were both meant to cross paths like that—I’m sure it was the best photo of that foggy day
Today, as Jack and I reached the foggy summit, I thought of that big black bird and said aloud something like, “This’d be a good day to see a raven in the fog.”
Not five minutes later, rounding a curve in the trail, I spotted a raven sitting on a rock surrounded by wet foliage just in front of us. I froze. I took its photo. And before to long, it took wing and flew away in the fog.
(Lots of rain overnight. Ahhh.)
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:49 a.m., I hiked most trails.
1. Blue Jay (v) 2. Northern Cardinal (v) 3. Tufted Titmouse** 4. American Crow* (v) 5. Gray Catbird 6. Veery (v) 7. Eastern Towhee 8. American Goldfinch 9. Least Flycatcher (v) 10. Song Sparrow 11. Common Raven 12. Common Yellowthroat (v) 13. Black-capped Chickadee 14. Herring Gull 15. Black-throated Blue Warbler 16. Red-eyed Vireo
Elsewhere
17. Mourning Dove 18. Eastern Wood-pewee
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
A fairly early morning, summer warmish, with an overcast becoming clear by the time we hit the trail, dog and I. Again we first took the lower wooded trail (which will continue), and again a surprisingly good number of species.
Most noteworthy, though, was the voice of a Black-throated Blue Warbler within a few minutes of our embarking. My favorite warbler, but one I hadn’t encountered upon returning to Maine before today. Didn’t see it, wasn’t sure what I was hearing at first—but there it was.
Sure would love to see one. ??
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:26 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. Red-eyed Vireo** (v) 2. Black-throated Green Warbler** (v) 3. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 4. Hermit Thrush 5. Ovenbird (v) 6. American Goldfinch** 7. Black-throated Blue Warbler† (v) 8. Chestnut-sided Warbler (v) 9. Wood Thrush (v) 10. Veery 11. Tufted Titmouse (v) 12. Downy Woodpecker 13. Blue Jay 14. American Crow 15. Eastern Wood-pewee (v) 16. Eastern Towhee 17. Gray Catbird 18. American Robin* (v) 19. Black-capped Chickadee** 20. Common Yellowthroat 21. Alder Flycatcher (v) 22. Cedar Waxwing 23. Field Sparrow (v) 24. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v) 25. Yellow Warbler 26. House Wren 27. Eastern Bluebird 28. Savannah Sparrow (v) 29. Mourning Dove* 30. Eastern Phoebe 31. Song Sparrow 32. Chipping Sparrow 33. Northern Parula (v) 34. Brown Creeper (v)
Elsewhere
35. Northern Cardinal (v)
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
Early to the hill again, and again an embarrassment of species. Noteworthy was a Yellow-throated Vireo I heard calling just down from the summit. Also noteworthy were various fledglings—including a couple first-day Eastern Phoebe babies at the hut.
Male eastern bluebird.
Bluebirds abounded. Plenty of other species also. We’ve already got probably twice as many migratory birds as arrived here just a few weeks ago. And many more still will fly south come fall.
Rain tonight. A little tomorrow. Flooding is a rare challenge—but better too much rain than not enough.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 6:45 a.m., I hiked the open trail—and then some.
