It’s nearing the end of May, and the spring greenery has by now burst forth all over the place. This can make birding a little frustrating—more places for the little winged critters to hide—but even so, I somehow ended up with four dozen species on my list this morning. Including three firsts-of-year.
The FOY species: Least Flycatcher, Eastern Wood-pewee, Alder Flycatcher—all favorites (especially the pewee, thanks to its amazing song). At least partly responsible for the nice count: a light southerly wind for a change.
Taking photos can be a challenge what with all the leaves and such, but I rather dig a challenge and expect to get pics of these three at some point.
We’re gonna get an overnight rain which will pass about the time dog and I embark on our Sunday morning hike. Can use the water, though, as it’s been dry. (Then again the dryness might be the reason I haven’t found more deer ticks yet this year.) Bring it on, Nature. I’m looking forward to it.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 6:21 p.m. sun time (7:21 DST), I hiked all trails.
This morning was much like yesterday morning—wet, muddy, starting to go green—but the day itself, unlike yesterday, was overcast throughout. On my hike with dog, we enjoyed a bit more wind, temps in the 40s (F), and, frankly, more bird species than I expected (albeit far fewer than yesterday).
No firsts-of-year, but the Brown Thrasher of the other day showed up again. Otherwise, mostly the usual suspects. A happy hike, though—even the slog down the lower wooded trail (which was essentially a stream).
Another morning like this is forecast for tomorrow, but thereafter it looks like we might get a streak of warmer, brighter days.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:09 a.m. real time (8:09 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. Savannah Sparrow (v) 2. Purple Finch (v) 3. American Robin** 4. Chipping Sparrow 5. Blue Jay 6. American Crow* 7. Black-capped Chickadee 8. Eastern Towhee 9. Tufted Titmouse (v) 10. Downy Woodpecker (v) 11. Brown Thrasher 12. Brown-headed Cowbird (v) 13. American Goldfinch 14. Field Sparrow (v) 15. Song Sparrow** 16. Northern Cardinal 17. Herring Gull* 18. Eastern Bluebird 19. Eastern Phoebe (v) 20. White-breasted Nuthatch** (v)
Elsewhere
21. Mourning Dove
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
First came rain—a heavy, soaking, overnight rain. Then came high winds (which broke a series of utility poles on Route 1 nearby). Then came a very wet, heavy fog. However, during my brief morning hike with dog, I encountered some pretty fun birds.
Most notable was among the last birds I encountered: a first-of-year Brown Thrasher singing loudly down by the road. Also there were sparrows, blackbirds, phoebes, and more.
About midday the sky began to clear and by evening, the day was bright and warm and calm.
(I do love the variety of weather we get here in coastal Maine.)
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:17 a.m. real time (8:01 DST), I hiked the open trail.
1. Purple Finch** (v) 2. Black-capped Chickadee (v) 3. American Crow* (v) 4. Chipping Sparrow (v) 5. Song Sparrow 6. Tufted Titmouse (v) 7. Eastern Towhee 8. Northern Cardinal** (v) 9. Savannah Sparrow (v) 10. Brown Thrasher† 11. Red-winged Blackbird 12. Red-bellied Woodpecker (v) 13. Eastern Phoebe* 14. Blue Jay
Elsewhere
15. Herring Gull 16. White-throated Sparrow (v)
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
