Captain Jack, age 15, has been limping a little (left front foot), so I made the hard decision to let him sit out this morning’s hike for the first time in years. A very hard decision.
Memorial Day was sunny and cool and breezy, and people were out and about, and so were birds. Most notable was probably the individual Cedar Waxwing I spied at the summit. Only the second waxwing sighting of the year—although more will show up in summer for the annual fly hatch up there.
Felt bad that dog didn’t get a hike, and a friend suggested a short trail near the house, which we three hiked in afternoon. Jack liked the new smells. We’ll do more of that going forward, for sure.
Supposed to start warming up again. We shall see.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 6:08 p.m. sun time (7:08 DST), I hiked all trails, and then some.
A warm morning, leading up to a warm day—mid-60s in afternoon. There was wind, but also sun, and I needed only a light jacket and wore my regular (not insulated) jeans. Good decisions all.
Did not know what to expect today, and ended up highly entertained by what we encountered. Most notable: a first-of-year Osprey, and a first-of-year Mourning Cloak butterfly. Also more Palm Warblers, and a little flock of waxwings that zipped by as we were hiking the open trail.
It’s suddenly dry on the trails—and no real relief in sight. But tomorrow will be a warm one, with Friday maybe even warmer.
P.S. Heard my first spring peepers last night.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 6:24 a.m. real time (7:24 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. American Robin** 2. Eastern Phoebe** 3. Song Sparrow* 4. Turkey Vulture 5. Tufted Titmouse** 6. American Goldfinch 7. American Crow* 8. Blue Jay 9. Black-capped Chickadee* 10. Northern Cardinal** (v) 11. Palm Warbler 12. Ruffed Grouse 13. Hairy Woodpecker (v) 14. Pileated Woodpecker (v) 15. Yellow-rumped Warbler 16. Osprey† 17. Herring Gull* 18. Eastern Bluebird 19. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (drumming) 20. American Kestrel 21. Cedar Waxwing 22. Golden-crowned Kinglet (v)
What a morning. Chilly to start, with a little breeze, but absolutely cloudless (rare her on the coast of Maine), and really interesting birdwise.
First-of-year note: A flock of about thirty Cedar Waxwings flew right by us, but I accidentally turned off my camera and so missed ’em. However, I did get a photo of one of many Yellow-rumped Warblers that were moving through—several of them singing.
Within a few days, I expect to see a Palm Warbler—and other incoming species.
Fun time of year!
Beech Hill List Beginning at 6:26 a.m. real time (7:26 DST), I hiked all trails.
