The morning was warmer—50s (F)—but mostly overcast and quite breezy when dog and I headed up to Beech Hill. Some blue showed through, though, and I thought about hitting the wooded trailhead, but decided on the main trail. Good decision, as very little sun lit up the landscape, and the light was better out in the barrens.
Crows again—couple dozen of ’em. Can’t decide if their great annual convention is about to start, or perhaps warming and dryness and maybe other factors have affected this great event. The wind was nice and cool and I loved the sky and the smell and the muted-yet-wildly-colorful landscape—all kinds of lovely surroundings.
Saw a kestrel, saw a red-tail—both noteworthy. Only one woodpecker, only one robin (unlike recent days). Migration continues but this morning seemed as muted as the day.
Might be a quick hike tomorrow, as a big rain’s a-comin’.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 8:10 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. Tufted Titmouse (v) 2. Yellow-rumped Warbler 3. Purple Finch (v) 4. Common Yellowthroat (v) 5. American Crow 6. Black-capped Chickadee 7. Blue Jay (v) 8. American Kestrel 9. Northern Flicker (v) 10. White-throated Sparrow 11. Dark-eyed Junco 12. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v) 13. Gray Catbird (v) 14. Ruby-crowned Kinglet 15. American Robin (v) 16. Savannah Sparrow 17. Red-tailed Hawk
Elsewhere
18. Northern Cardinal (v)
Mammals
Eastern Gray Squirrel
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
What a morning. A bit of frost early, but it’d become dew by the time dog and I hit the wooded trail. Nippy, mostly sunny—the angular sun of morning—and mostly calm. Many birds flitting around in the undergrowth and high in the trees. Mostly woodpeckers and sparrows.
Four woodpecker species, four sparrow species, a couple thrushes, a couple finches, a couple nuthatches, a couple warblers. Just good migratory action all around. A lovely morning.
Hoping for more of the same tomorrow.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 8:06 a.m., I hiked all trails.
Similar morning to yesterday’s—but a bit chillier, with a light breeze. Quiet at first but exciting as my hike with dog proceeded (as has been the case on recent days). At least sixty yellow-rumps, bluebirds, nuthatches, sparrows, a random phoebe—and my favorite sparrow at the summit on our return.
If you’ve been following, you know I love Savannah Sparrows—their subdued-yet-tidy attire, their insect-like trill (with a hiccup at the end), just their general behavior (e.g., not as shy as a Song Sparrow).
The little Savannah at the end just made my day.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:\46 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. American Crow** 2. Yellow-rumped Warbler 3. White-breasted Nuthatch** 4. Hairy Woodpecker 5. Eastern Bluebird (v) 6. Black-capped Chickadee 7. Blue Jay (v) 8. Gray Catbird 9. Eastern Towhee (V) 10. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v) 11. American Robin 12. Northern Flicker 13. Hermit Thrush 14. American Goldfinch 15. Dark-eyed Junco (v) 16. White-throated Sparrow* 17. Song Sparrow 18. Common Yellowthroat 19. Purple Finch (v) 20. Eastern Phoebe 21. Savannah Sparrow
