Another sunny morn, a bit chillier than yesterday but with less wind. And another slow start up the wooded trail—and, yes, another surpringly nice batch of spring birds.
Most noteworthy were two first-of-year Eastern Kingbirds hanging about in the blueberry barrens, catching flies. A total of forty-three species was also nice. And the very last bird of the day: a Broad-winged Hawk in the woods, staring down the photographer.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 6:31 p.m. sun time (7:31 DST), I hiked all trails.
About two inches of rain fell overnight, but sure enough—as forecast—it’d stopped by the time dog and I were ready to hike this morning. Temps in the 50s (F) to start, and foggy on the hill, but it was warmer (and clearer) by the time of our return.
In between times, I managed a list of 44 birds (including a first-of-year Warbling Vireo), but most noteworthy were a pair of trail amphibians.
On the main trail, near the summit, sat a Green Frog. Just sat there on the gravel, letting me take photos. Finally I got close enough that it decided to hop off into the wet grass. And down in the middle of the lower wooded trail, I happened to spy a tiny bright orange newt eft.
It’s been pretty dry, so I expect the fresh douse of water drew the amphibians out. Then again, what do I know.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 6:`16 p.m. sun time (7:16 DST), I hiked all trails.
The day dawned with a sort of humid haze that lasted much of the day. Temps in the mid-50s (F) as dog and I started up the wooded Beech Hill trail. And there wasn’t much wind at all. I had no expectations—other than hoping for another first-of-year or two. Welp, I got three!
Right off the bat, I heard the voice of a Baltimore Oriole, which kindly flew up to a limb above us. Coming up the upper trail, I heard the voice of a Nashville Warbler. And at the summit, I heard—then saw—an American Restart.
Otherwise, we met five trail friends (and three dog friends) and oversaw the blooming blueberries and rhodora and little wild fruit trees.
Gonna be another good ’un tomorrow, I can just tell.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 6:18 a.m. sun time (7:18 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. Ovenbird** 2. Song Sparrow 3. Black-throated Green Warbler** 4. Baltimore Oriole† 5. Downy Woodpecker 6. American Goldfinch 7. Blue Jay (v) 8. Purple Finch 9. Chestnut-sided Warbler** 10. Northern Parula (v) 11. American Crow* 12. Brown Creeper 13. Black-and-white Warbler (v) 14. Eastern Towhee 15. Blue-headed Vireo (v) 16. Gray Catbird 17. Nashville Warbler† (v) 18. Tufted Titmouse (v) 19. Common Yellowthroat (v) 20. Black-capped Chickadee 21. Field Sparrow (v) 22. Yellow Warbler 23. American Robin 24. White-throated Sparrow** 25. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v) 26. Yellow-rumped Warbler (v) 27. Chipping Sparrow** 28. American Redstart† 29. Eastern Bluebird 30. Tree Swallow 31. Eastern Phoebe 32. Northern Cardinal (v) 33. Hairy Woodpecker (v) 34. Veery (v) 35. Northern Flicker** (v)
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
