Cool and bright again this morning—but not quite so cool. In fact, the day warmed up pretty good by the time dog and I reached the summit. A noteworthy day, though, with a few nice sightings. Most noteworthy, perhaps was a whitetail doe and fawn that appeared in a little clearing far below us.
Bird-wise, also at the summit, I spotted my first yellow-rump since spring. and I spotted my first Nashville Warbler in months, down in the woodlands.
Sitting here this evening, I find myself wondering what tomorrow’s hike will bring.
Beech Hill List Starting at 7:04 a.m. EST (8:04 DST), I hiked all trails.
Today was a changes-in-the-weather sort of day. After yesterday’s sun, a thunderstorm blew through overnight, and this day began cool and foggy. Twas another quiet morning—aside from the rain-like sound when a breeze would blow through the thick, wet, leafy canopy, causing rain-like drops to fall. Eventually a few birds would sing or chatter or call. Only avian seventeen species on today’s list, but we did surprise a whitetail near the trail, which was fun for all but the deer.
In afternoon the sun emerged and things got steamy fast. I took a friend’s dog for a good long walk and we both drank lots of water afterward. Tomorrow’s supposed to be a bright one.
Beech Hill List Starting at 6:54 a.m. EST (7:54 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. Eastern Phoebe* 2. Black-capped Chickadee (v) 3. Hairy Woodpecker (v) 4. American Goldfinch 5. Song Sparrow 6. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 7. Common Yellowthroat 8. Eastern Wood-pewee (v) 9. Cedar Waxwing 10. Yellow Warbler (v) 11. Eastern Towhee 12. Red-eyed Vireo (v) 13. Blue Jay (v) 14. Gray Catbird** 15. Tufted Titmouse (v) 16. American Crow* 17. Herring Gull*
Elsewhere
18. Mourning Dove 19. Osprey 20. Rock Dove
Mammals
Eastern Gray Squirrel White-tailed Deer
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
First I looked at the thermometer this morning, the temp was in the 50s (F). But soon enough, the nice cool hike to start for dog and me became rather warm. The breeze helped—as did the ol’ birding distraction. Still plenty of juvies (among them a towhee that posed), but my total species count was pretty low.
Still had a few exciting moments—a calling Red-shouldered Hawk, juvie towhees and Chestnut-sided Warblers.
This afternoon some rain fell, and I heard a rumble of thunder. Looking forward to seeing how tomorrow shapes up.
Beech Hill List Starting at 7:22 a.m. EST (8:22 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. Red-eyed Vireo 2. Blue Jay 3. American Goldfinch 4. Black-throated Green Warbler 5. Chestnut-sided Warbler 6. Veery 7. Downy Woodpecker 8. Eastern Towhee 9. Eastern Wood-pewee 10. Black-capped Chickadee 11. Tufted Titmouse 12. American Crow 13. Cedar Waxwing 14. Alder Flycatcher 15. Song Sparrow 16. Red-shouldered Hawk 17. Common Yellowthroat 18. Gray Catbird 19. Hermit Thrush 20. Turkey Vulture 21. Tree Swallow 22. Hairy Woodpecker
Elsewhere
23. Herring Gull 24. Eastern Phoebe
Mammals
Eastern Gray Squirrel
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
