Warmish (30s (F)), calm, and mostly clear as dog and I headed up to the wooded trailhead. Although I typically try not to, this morning I had expectations. Expectations because of the calmness, the clearness, the warmish temperatures. I figured we’d see bluebirds, at least.
And I did see bluebirds—later in our hike‚—but not before I saw the most noteworthy species: a lone Hermit Thrush as we were returning up the manicured main trail. Thought it was a sparrow at first so was rather surprised and thrilled to see it. Watched as it left the trail briefly to grab (and swallow) a good-sized caterpillar. Took a few photos before slowly beginning to walk again. Of course it would fly away.
Another nice surprise was a Pileated Woodpecker I happened to spy taking off as we descended back toward the truck. Never got a look at it again.
Supposed to rain overnight. We shall see what Monday morning brings.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:41 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. Black-capped Chickadee 2. Tufted Titmouse (v) 3. Hairy Woodpecker 4. American Crow* (v) 5. American Robin 6. American Goldfinch (v) 7. Brown Creeper (v) 8. Purple Finch (v) 9. Northern Flicker 10. Yellow-rumped Warbler 11. Red-breasted Nuthatch 12. Pine Siskin (v) 13. Eastern Bluebird 14. Hermit Thrush 15. Pileated Woodpecker 16. White-breasted Nuthatch**
Mammals
American Red Squirrel (v)
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
Low-20s (F) this morning, but calm as a lazy summer day. And cloudless: not a single cloud in the sky that I could see—not even out over the bay. And quiet, so quiet. Other than a Downy Woodpecker tapping on a tree near the trailhead, the first few birds I didn’t see, I heard. And then came the bunch of chattering chickadees.
They sounded a little upset, the chickadees, and I saw some flitting through the tree trunks, so I trained my binocs in that direction, and I saw it. A Barred Owl, clearly visible in the morning sunlight. Excitedly, I raised my camera—and the owl had left its perch.
Dangit!
But oh, well. I’m used to dipping on photos. Sure, an owl pic is a rare pic (for me, at least), but I felt sure I’d get others this calm day. And I did, on my return with dog up and over the hill, when I good-sized flock of bluebirds appeared.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:34 a.m., I hiked all trails.
Saw a few Snow Buntings on the hill today—a nippy, clear-sky day with a slight breeze and ice on the trails. Also saw or heard thirteen other species, including a Brown Creeper, a few woodpeckers, yellow-rumps, and a whole mess of bluebirds.
This time of year—so close (a month away) to the winter solstice—has its own familiar feel to it at this latitude (and longitude). I know it well. And I love it, this thrilling, miraculous feeling of the certainty of impending winter, but with brains enough and stores enough to survive until spring.
In just a few weeks the photoperiod will begin again to lengthen. Faith. Faith in our tilted planet’s dependable seasons.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:19 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. American Crow* 2. American Goldfinch 3. Brown Creeper (v) 4. Black-capped Chickadee 5. Eastern Bluebird 6. Blue Jay 7. White-breasted Nuthatch** 8. Downy Woodpecker 9. Northern Flicker 10. Hairy Woodpecker (v) 11. Snow Bunting 12. Yellow-rumped Warbler 13. Red-breasted Nuthatch 14. Dark-eyed Junco (v)
Elsewhere
15. Mallard 16. Wild Turkey
Mammals
American Red Squirrel (v)
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
