Wind and rain overnight became wind and fog this early morning. Good news for dog and me: We could hike at our usual time without getting too soaking wet.
A thick fog, and a strong blow. Few birds were interested in coming out in it—only six species today—but we were the only ones on the hill this morning, and we hiked all the usual trails. And I only found one tick on Jack (and none on me).
Besides, it was a thrill: the roaring wind, the low visibility, fallen branches (and one small tree) in the trail, a general sense of uncertainty. Heightened senses.
More rain came after we returned home, and later, the sun came out. What a Saturday. Both of us loved this day.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:29 a.m., I hiked all trails (and then some).
1. American Crow* 2. Black-capped Chickadee** 3. Blue Jay (v) 4. Northern Flicker 5. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v) 6. American Goldfinch (v)
The temperature had barely warmed into the 40s (F) by the time dog and I hit the hill this morning. A blue, blue sky, not much of a breeze, not a lot of bird sounds early on. But as we neared the summit, things began to get interesting.
En route up there I heard (then got a glimpse of) a flock of south-bound geese. Had a hermit thrush and a couple of woodpeckers. And that’s about the time a Northern Harrier appeared. The marsh hawk was (as is their habit) floating low above the barrens, seeking out a mouse or vole. And then I heard the guttural croak of a raven—the kind that almost sounds like the bubbling up of a deep gooey liquid.
Spied the raven, which was flying west above the hill. A Cooper’s Hawk appeared, and the two circled each other suspiciously. Then the harrier rose up to join the party, and all three birds circled and veered and dove and tried to avoid each other. Down here on terra firma, I couldn’t’ve been more excited at this display.
Twenty species today. Who’d’ve thunk it in the month of November?
Beech Hill List Beginning at 8:09 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. American Crow* 2. Hermit Thrush 3. American Goldfinch 4. Black-capped Chickadee 5. Canada Goose 6. Hairy Woodpecker 7. Northern Flicker (v) 8. American Robin** 9. Yellow-rumped Warbler 10. Red-breasted Nuthatch 11. Downy Woodpecker 12. Dark-eyed Junco 13. Eastern Bluebird 14. Northern Harrier 15. Song Sparrow 16. Blue Jay (v) 17. Common Raven 18. Cooper’s Hawk 19. White-throated Sparrow 20. Brown Creeper (v)
Elsewhere
21. Wild Turkey
Mammals
Eastern Chipmunk American Red Squirrel
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
Dawn this morning came little later than yesterday, and much brighter. Nearly cloudless, with angular sun spreading through the now-mostly-ochre wooded Beech Hill trails. Didn’t know what to expect, bird-wise.
And had a couple nice surprises. Most exciting: a pair of Fox Sparrows that appeared just about where I’d last seen some several years ago (but in spring). Recognized ’em right away.
Also had a bunch of thrushes—robins and bluebirds—a random gull, and three woodpecker species.
It was a quick hike (had an early appointment) but a very satisfying one.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 8:02 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. Purple Finch (v) 2. American Robin 3. American Crow* 4. American Goldfinch (v) 5. Brown Creeper (v) 6. Hairy Woodpecker (v) 7. Yellow-rumped Warbler 8. Tufted Titmouse 9. Herring Gull* 10. Fox Sparrow† 11. Downy Woodpecker 12. Eastern Bluebird 13. White-throated Sparrow (v) 14. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v) 15. Blue Jay** (v) 16. Northern Flicker (v)
Elsewhere
17. Northern Cardinal 18. House Sparrow (v) 19. Ring-billed Gull
Mammals
Eastern Chipmunk American Red Squirrel
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
