I have a feeling I’ve begun a post this way more than once before, but what a difference a day makes. Maybe the chilly air—upper-40s (F) first thing—or a favorable overnight wind direction, but what a bright and birdy morning greeted dog and me as we headed up the wooded trail.
Two kinglet species, four woodpecker species, ever-present yellow-rumps, another Swainson’s Thrush, a random junco.
But the highlight of this hike was our chance encounter—on the upper wooded trail—with a trio of Red-eyed Vireos. They were plucking berries in the yellowish vegetation just feet from the trail, and in the morning light I was convinced they were Philadelphia Vireos, a species I hadn’t seen in years. But an expert bird ID friend saw my photo caption and set me straight.
Ever educational, this birding thing.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:54 a.m., I hiked all trails.
A chilly morning (low 50s (F)), a cloudless morning (other than a line of clouds far out in the bay), with a stout gusty breeze. I had no expectations, but I thought of the possibility of some interesting migrating birds.
As it happened, there were birds of interest—notably a random Blackpoll Warbler up in the greenery between the woods and open fields—but mostly the usual suspects. Along with a couple “big birds” in flight (Turkey Vulture and Common Raven).
Blackpoll Warbler.
Twenty-four species, though not many numbers of each. Those numbers will increase, though. Looking forward to it.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:37 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. Tufted Titmouse 2. Northern Flicker 3. Cedar Waxwing 4. Black-capped Chickadee* 5. Eastern Towhee 6. Gray Catbird 7. American Crow* 8. Blackpoll Warbler 9. Hermit Thrush 10. Blue Jay (v) 11. Yellow-rumped Warbler 12. Common Yellowthroat (v) 13. American Goldfinch (v) 14. Eastern Phoebe 15. Song Sparrow 16. Savannah Sparrow 17. Eastern Bluebird 18. Common Raven 19. American Robin 20. Turkey Vulture 21. Red-bellied Woodpecker (v) 22. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 23. Downy Woodpecker (v) 24. Brown Creeper (v)
Elsewhere
25. Carolina Wren (v) 26. Herring Gull
Mammals
Eastern Chipmunk (v)
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
