Captain Jack, age 15, has been limping a little (left front foot), so I made the hard decision to let him sit out this morning’s hike for the first time in years. A very hard decision.
Memorial Day was sunny and cool and breezy, and people were out and about, and so were birds. Most notable was probably the individual Cedar Waxwing I spied at the summit. Only the second waxwing sighting of the year—although more will show up in summer for the annual fly hatch up there.
Felt bad that dog didn’t get a hike, and a friend suggested a short trail near the house, which we three hiked in afternoon. Jack liked the new smells. We’ll do more of that going forward, for sure.
Supposed to start warming up again. We shall see.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 6:08 p.m. sun time (7:08 DST), I hiked all trails, and then some.
Another sunny day, and a mild one. My hike with dog was a tiny bit chilly to start—but it was downright hot when we got done. High temps in the 80s (F) today.
The birds were perhaps a bit quieter than on recent days, but my list still added up to thirty-four species. Notable was a persisting Prairie Warbler and a pair of hawks on the wing.
Tomorrow’s high is supposed to be twenty degrees cooler. Will be interesting to see how different my list will be.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 6:30 p.m. sun time (7:30 DST), I hiked all trails.
What a lovely morning. Cool to start, warm to end—nearly 70° (F). The birds were a bit quieter than lately, perhaps due to that warmth. And/or the possibility of fledglings. And/or other reasons. But it was a real fun hike with dog.
Notably, I got a photo of a Least Flycatcher finally. Love those little guys.
A similar day is forecast for tomorrow. Looking forward to a nice surprise or two. (There are nearly always nice surprises.)
Beech Hill List Beginning at 6:18 p.m. sun time (7:18 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. Tufted Titmouse (v) 2. Red-eyed Vireo 3. Ovenbird** 4. American Redstart* 5. Blue Jay 6. Brown Creeper (v) 7. Eastern Phoebe 8. Black-throated Green Warbler (v) 9. Veery 10. American Crow* 11. American Goldfinch** 12. Eastern Towhee 13. Gray Catbird 14. Chestnut-sided Warbler** 15. Common Yellowthroat (v) 16. Black-and-white Warbler** 17. Field Sparrow 18. Alder Flycatcher (v) 19. Yellow Warbler 20. Rose-breasted Grosbeak (v) 21. Song Sparrow 22. Chipping Sparrow 23. Pileated Woodpecker (v) 24. White-breasted Nuthatch** (v) 25. Black-capped Chickadee (v) 26. Least Flycatcher 27. Ruby-crowned Kinglet (v) 28. Brown-headed Cowbird 29. American Robin** 30. Eastern Wood-pewee (v) 31. Wood Thrush (v) 32. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (drumming)
Elsewhere
35. Mallard 35. Mourning Dove
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
