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.
Chilly again—upper 40s (F)—when we hit the trail, dog and I. Sunny at first, but an a thin layer of clouds overtook the sky before we’d hit the summit. Another birdy day.
Most notable were a Northern Harrier scanning the barrens for a good while, an American Kestrel perched on the highest spruce on the summit, and a Ruffed Grouse we flushed on our ascent. Also heard a raven, spied an osprey, encountered many, many Yellow-rumped Warblers.
I dearly love this time of year.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:43 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 2. American Crow** (v) 3. Blue Jay (v) 4. Common Raven (v) 5. Black-capped Chickadee 6. Purple Finch (v) 7. Tufted Titmouse 8. Yellow-rumped Warbler 9. Ruby-crowned Kinglet (v) 10. Brown Creeper 11. Black-and-white Warbler 12. Red-eyed Vireo 13. Red-breasted Nuthatch 14. American Robin* 15. Hermit Thrush 16. Gray Catbird (v) 17. Eastern Towhee (v) 18. Hairy Woodpecker 19. Ruffed Grouse 20. White-throated Sparrow (v) 21. Northern Harrier 22. Song Sparrow (v) 23. American Kestrel 24. American Goldfinch (v) 25. Osprey 26. Common Yellowthroat 27. Savannah Sparrow 28. Eastern Bluebird
Elsewhere
29. Carolina Wren (v) 30. Wild Turkey
Mammals
Eastern Gray Squirrel
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
I have a feeling I’ve begun a post this way more than once before, but what a difference a day makes. Maybe the chilly air—upper-40s (F) first thing—or a favorable overnight wind direction, but what a bright and birdy morning greeted dog and me as we headed up the wooded trail.
Two kinglet species, four woodpecker species, ever-present yellow-rumps, another Swainson’s Thrush, a random junco.
But the highlight of this hike was our chance encounter—on the upper wooded trail—with a trio of Red-eyed Vireos. They were plucking berries in the yellowish vegetation just feet from the trail, and in the morning light I was convinced they were Philadelphia Vireos, a species I hadn’t seen in years. But an expert bird ID friend saw my photo caption and set me straight.
Ever educational, this birding thing.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:54 a.m., I hiked all trails.
