As June commences, the resident birds begin to hunker down. First arrivals are all about attracting mates and establishing territory. By now, though, birds have begun creating nests, sitting on eggs, even feeding nestlings. Thus, not so vocal or willing to show themselves.
Still, persistence pays off.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:30 a.m., I hiked all trails.
It’s apple blossom season. That usually means a flock or two of waxwings showing up randomly—as they did in the early overcast, post-showers time of this day.
Waxwings love apple blossom petals.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 8:15 a.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. Ovenbird** (v) 2. Red-eyed Vireo** (v) 3. Common Yellowthroat** 4. Black-throated Green Warbler (v) 5. Chestnut-sided Warbler 6. American Redstart 7. Veery (v) 8. Hairy Woodpecker 9. American Goldfinch 10. Rose-breasted Grosbeak (v) 11. Gray Catbird* 12. Tufted Titmouse (v) 13. Hermit Thrush (v) 14. Black-capped Chickadee (v) 15. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 16. Nashville Warbler (v) 17. Eastern Wood-pewee 18. Least Flycatcher (v) 19. Alder Flycatcher 20. Great Crested Flycatcher (v) 21. Eastern Towhee 22. Ruby-throated Hummingbird (wingbeats) 23. Field Sparrow 24. Song Sparrow 25. Tree Swallow 26. Eastern Phoebe* 27. American Crow* 28. Eastern Kingbird 29. Chipping Sparrow 30. Pileated Woodpecker (v) 31. Cedar Waxwing 32. Yellow Warbler 33. American Robin (v) 34. Downy Woodpecked 35. Black-throated Blue Warbler (v) 36. Northern Cardinal** (v)
Elsewhere
37. House Finch (v) 38. Herring Gull 39. Great Blue Heron 40. Mourning Dove
v = Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voiceo nly elsewhere
Chilly this morning. Forties (F)—and a cold night forecast for tonight, along with possible snow tomorrow. Latest coldest high temps ever, thanks to anthropogenic climate change.
Bald Eagle (adult).
But the birds seem happy. Three more first-of-year species today (Yellow Warbler, Veery, and Rose-breasted Grosbeak). Plus, I shocked myself by getting a photo of the elusive Nashville Warbler.
Tomorrow should be interesting.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:30 a.m., I hiked all trails.