Today dawned cooler and damper, with thick fog. We arrived at the main trailhead a bit later than in recent days, dog and I. Still, nobody else there. Well, unless you count the sparrows and doves and cowbirds and nuthatches, woodpecker, etc., etc. Quite a few birds enjoy a foggy morn—especially since it means dampening up a rather dry few days.

No firsts-of-year species today, but a nice sighting was an in-between-coated Snowshoe Hare. (Hardcore birders like mammals, too.)

Yet another keenly enjoyable hike with my best friend.

Beech Hill List
Beginning at 6:47 a.m. real time (7:47 DST), I hiked all trails.

1. Dark-eyed Junco
2. American Robin
3. Blue Jay (v)
4. Black-capped Chickadee
5. American Crow**
6. Song Sparrow*
7. White-breasted Nuthatch (v)
8. Mourning Dove (v)
9. Brown-headed Cowbird
10. Pileated Woodpecker (v)
11. Northern Cardinal** (v)
12. American Goldfinch
13. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (drumming)
14. Red-winged Blackbird (v)
15. Purple Finch (v)
16. Eastern Bluebird
17. Herring Gull** (v)
18. Eastern Phoebe**
19. Yellow-rumped Warbler
20. Northern Flicker** (v)
21. Tufted Titmouse** (v)
22. Ruffed Grouse (drumming)
23. Downy Woodpecker**
24. Hairy Woodpecker (drumming)

Elsewhere

25. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v)

Mammals

Snowshoe Hare

(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
†First-of-year