Again nippy with partial sun, but rather windy when dog and I headed up the hill. With the loudly rustling leaves, it was hard to make out the voices of the birds in the woods—but I followed a couple pods of chickadees, who were (as often is the case) companied by quiet little warblers. Also vireos.
Four warbler spp., three corvid spp., two vireo spp, a pair of Sharp-shinned Hawks, an Osprey, and the southbound flight of three geese. Plus a raven—and another Swainson’s Thrush. (Growing to like the species a lot.)
I wonder what tomorrow will bring.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 8:20 a.m., I hiked all trails.
Another clear, breezy morning with a nice assortment of nervous birds. Among the several species up at the summit spruce grove, I spied a Blue-headed Vireo. It’s been weeks since I’ve seen one, months since I’ve heard them singing. This one must’ve been on its way south.
As, by the way, was a nice-sized flock of migrating Monarchs—most I’ve seen so far.
No hawks today, but dog and I did spook another woodcock.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:36 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. Common Yellowthroat (v) 2. American Crow* 3. Blue Jay 4. Northern Flicker 5. Black-capped Chickadee 6. American Goldfinch** (v) 7. American Robin 8. Red-bellied Woodpecker (v) 9. Cedar Waxwing 10. Yellow-rumped Warbler 11. American Woodcock 12. Eastern Towhee (v) 13. Gray Catbird (v) 14. Purple Finch (v) 15. Red-breasted Nuthatch 16. Blue-headed Vireo 17. Song Sparrow 18. Hermit Thrush 19. Osprey 20. Downy Woodpecker (v)
Elsewhere
21. Mourning Dove
Mammals
Eastern Gray Squirrel American Red Squirrel Eastern Chipmunk
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
Three years ago today, I was hauling a trailer full of my (and Jack’s) belongings and moving to Salt Lake City. Three months ago, we returned—and glad we did. [Not that I didn’t enjoy the high desert.] Today was a good representation of why: a cool morning hike, clean, fragrant air, many birds to observe, a long view of the bay.
Notable today were three woodpecker species that made their presences known within a few minutes of each other, several bird families (adults and juvies, among them nuthatches, sparrows, waxwings), and crows chasing a hawk.
Loved this morning, and looking forward to the next.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:15 a.m., I hiked most trails.
1. Red-eyed Vireo** 2. American Crow* 3. Song Sparrow** 4. Black-throated Green Warbler (v) 5. Black-capped Chickadee (v) 6. Ovenbird 7. American Goldfinch 8. Eastern Towhee 9. Hermit Thrush 10. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 11. Black-and-white Warbler (v) 12. Tufted Titmouse (v) 13. Brown Creeper (v) 14. American Robin 15. Hairy Woodpecker 16. Downy Woodpecker (v) 17. Red-bellied Woodpecker (v) 18. Eastern Towhee 19. Alder Flycatcher (v) 20. Common Yellowthroat 21. Gray Catbird 22. Chestnut-sided Warbler 23. Cedar Waxwing 24. Chipping Sparrow 25. Field Sparrow 26. Savannah Sparrow 27. Blue-headed Vireo 28. Blue Jay (v) 29. House Wren (v) 30. Herring Gull* 31. Broad-winged Hawk 32. Turkey Vulture 33. Yellow Warbler (v) 34. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v)
Elsewhere
35. Mourning Dove
Mammals
Eastern Gray Squirrel
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
