’Tis the season for wild bird curiosities. Most notable this morning during my hike with dog this bright, nippy morning was a Snow Bunting hanging around Beech Nut, pecking around in the snow-free grass.
But also there were two grouse, a Mallard in the “vernal” pool, and a first-of-year Fox Sparrow.
The sparrow in particular caught my attention, since I’ve been thinking about the only individuals of that species I’ve ever seen on the hill, maybe eight or two years ago, at about this time of year. Did not see this bird, but its bright, brief song was unmistakable.
Tomorrow is April (Captain Jack’s fifteenth birthday!). It’s supposed to rain much of the day. I wonder what kind of miracles will occur.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7 a.m. sun time (8 stupid DST), I hiked all trails.
1. American Robin 2. Tufted Titmouse** 3. Black-capped Chickadee 4. Downy Woodpecker 5. Golden-crowned Kinglet 6. Blue Jay** 7. Mallard 8. Ruffed Grouse 9. Northern Cardinal (v) 10. Eastern Bluebird 11. American Crow* 12. Herring Gull* 13. Song Sparrow** 14. Yellow-rumped Warbler 15. American Goldfinch** 16. Snow Bunting 17. Fox Sparrow (v)† 18. Pileated Woodpecker (v)
Elsewhere
13. Wild Turkey 14. House Sparrow (v)
(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
Beech Hill List Beginning at 8:30 a.m., I hiked the open trail.
Song Sparrow.
Drizzly morning, little breeze, sparrows everywhere.
Mostly juncos, but many song sparrows, a white-throat, and a fox. Also several other species—flock of redpolls, fighting male bluebirds, robins galore.
Possible drizzle again tomorrow. Likely more sparrows, too.
1. Northern Cardinal* (v) 2. Dark-eyed Junco* 3. Black-capped Chickadee 4. American Robin* 5. American Crow* 6. Eastern Bluebird 7. Downy Woodpecker 8. Common Redpoll 9. Fox Sparrow (v) 10. Song Sparrow* (v) 11. Tufted Titmouse** (v) 12. American Goldfinch (v) 13. White-breasted Nuthatch** 14. Turkey Vulture 15. Herring Gull*
Elsewhere
16. Mourning Dove (v) 17. Rock Pigeon 18. White-throated Sparrow 19. Wild Turkey 20. European Starling
v = Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere
