This morning was a morning of catbirds and bluebirds. Catbirds mewing everywhere under the cool early overcast. And bluebirds fluttering around the summit in high numbers.

The bluebirds upstaged the catbirds, in fact, as gangs of five or six—adults and youngsters—fluttered and called together, practicing high flight and (perhaps) plucking flies from mid-air.

One adult male even stopped to pose against the blue bay.

Beech Hill List
Beginning at 7:30 a.m., I hiked the open trail.

1. American Robin
2. Red-eyed Vireo (v)
3. American Crow*
4. Black-capped Chickadee (v)
5. Tufted Titmouse (v)
6. Chestnut-sided Warbler**
7. Gray Catbird**
8. Song Sparrow**
9. Northern Cardinal** (v)
10. Chipping Sparrow*
11. Eastern Towhee
12. Herring Gull*
13. Common Yellowthroat
14. Yellow Warbler (v)
15. Mourning Dove*
16. American Goldfinch**
17. Cedar Waxwing
18. Eastern Phoebe*
19. Eastern Bluebird

Elsewhere

20. Rock Pigeon
21. Great Black-backed Gull

v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere