This morning’s nice surprise was a kestrel on the hill, hovering. Then another, perching. Then a couple more. Four kestrels on the hill, the first of the year. Exciting.
Also a quick flock of Bohemian waxwings, a phoebe, singing Song Sparrows—and a good dog to hike with.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 9:15 a.m., I hiked the open trail.
A nippy morning. Quite a few birds on the hill, but I was luck to hear their voices above the wind. Most noteworthy was the woodcock that exploded into the air when Jack and I passed it on our way back up from the wooded trail. First-of-year bird.
For all the birds, though, none would pose for photos, so we swung by the harbor, me and Jack—who was celebrating his 11th birthday—and I took a photo of a loon.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 8:45 a.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. Tufted Titmouse** (v) 2. Black-capped Chickadee** (v) 3. Northern Cardinal** (v) 4. American Goldfinch (v) 5. American Crow* 6. American Robin* (v) 7. Turkey Vulture* 8. Song Sparrow* (v) 9. Common Raven 10. Eastern Bluebird (v) 11. Pileated Woodpecker (v) 12. American Woodcock†
Elsewhere
13. House Finch (v) 14. Herring Gull 15. Bohemian Waxwing 16. Mallard 17. Common Loon 18. Rock Pigeon
v = Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year bird
Nippy, breezy, cloudless, lovely, fine, beautiful morning. Seven species on the hill (including a tiny flock of Bohemian waxwings). And a bunch of birds in the back yard, too—among them bluebirds and a pair of White-throated Sparrows.
I love this day.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 8:30 a.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. Black-capped Chickadee** 2. American Crow* 3. Tufted Titmouse* (v) 4. American Goldfinch 5. American Robin (v) 6. Bohemian Waxwing 7. White-breasted Nuthatch** (v)
