A cool, cloudless morning. Dog and I arrived at the hill in time to hear the sounds of early bird species awakening—and, later, the music of later sleepers. A couple of oddballs (including a Song Sparrow that began its tune with two clear, ringing notes of differing pitches.
My favorite of the day, though, were the juvie bluebirds.
Beech Hill List Beinning at 7:30 a.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. Red-eyed Vireo** (v) 2. Black-capped Chickadee (v) 3. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 4. American Crow* 5. Black-capped Chickadee** (v) 6. Eastern Towhee 7. Song Sparrow 8. American Goldfinch 9. Chestnut-sided Warbler 10. Common Yellowthroat 11. Gray Catbird* 12. Eastern Phoebe* 13. Northern Flicker (v) 14. Ovenbird (v) 15. Field Sparrow (v) 16. Mourning Dove* (v) 17. Purple Finch (v) 18. Tufted Titmouse** 19. Cedar Waxwing 20. Eastern Bluebird 21. Blue Jay (v) 22. Chipping Sparrow* 23. Common Raven (v) 24. Yellow Warbler (v) 25. Northern Cardinal (v)
This early morning on the way to the hill, I saw a Broad-winged Hawk take wing from along the side of the road with a chipmunk in its talons. Thing weren’t so dramatic during our hike, dog and me.
But there were plenty of birds, more than plenty mosquitoes, and a lovely-voiced Savannah Sparrow to serenade us.
Also a threat of thundershowers, though none ever came. (Tomorrow could be a different story.)
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:15 a.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. Veery** (v) 2. Blue Jay (v) 3. American Goldfinch (v) 4. Song Sparrow** 5. Ovenbird** (v) 6. American Crow* 7. Common Yellowthroat** 8. Red-eye Vireo** (v) 9. Eastern Towhee 10. Black-capped Chickadee (v) 11. Tufted Titmouse (v) 12. Alder Flycatcher (v) 13. Yellow Warbler 14. Field Sparrow (v) 15. Tree Swallow 16. Gray Catbird** (v) 17. Mourning Dove* 18. Eastern Phoebe** (v) 19. Savannah Sparrow 20. Chipping Sparrow 21. Chestnut-sided Warbler** 22. Nashville Warbler (v) 23. American Redstart (v) 24. Northern Cardinal
As June commences, the resident birds begin to hunker down. First arrivals are all about attracting mates and establishing territory. By now, though, birds have begun creating nests, sitting on eggs, even feeding nestlings. Thus, not so vocal or willing to show themselves.
Still, persistence pays off.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:30 a.m., I hiked all trails.
