A second straight windy morning greeted dog and me as we hit the trail—but even windier. Chilly air from the northwest was a-waggin’ the young, leafing-out hardwoods around and making it tough for birds to perch on high. Plus, listening was often a challenge.

Nonetheless, I somehow managed to tally up thirty species on today’s list—including three first-of-year birds.

FOYs are of course fun sightings for avid birders: the after many months away, the old familiar has returned. I’ve had FOY birds just about every day for a week, I bet. And I didn’t even realize I had three today until I viewed my photos, when what I thought was a Red-eyed-Vireo turned out to be a Tennessee Warbler.

Crow dive-bombing a raven, bluebirds taking over the tree swallow box, first-of-year wood-pewee delivering my favorite sound of summer.

Summer will be here before you know it.

Beech Hill List
Beginning at 7:12 a.m., I hiked most trails.

1. Eastern Phoebe*
2. Chestnut-sided Warbler**
3. Red-eyed Vireo
4. Ovenbird**
5. Black-throated Green Warbler** (v)
6. Black-capped Chickadee*
7. American Crow*
8. Black-and-white Warbler
9. Hairy Woodpecker
10. Northern Cardinal** (v)
11. Common Yellowthroat
12. Gray Catbird
13. Magnolia Warbler†
14. Ruby-throated Hummingbird
15. Eastern Towhee
16. Yellow Warbler (v)
17. Song Sparrow** (v)
18. Northern Parula (v)
19. Common Raven
20. Tree Swallow
21. American Robin (v)
22. Eastern Bluebird
23. Field Sparrow (v)
24. White-throated Sparrow (v)
25. Tufted Titmouse (v)
26. Hermit Thrush (v)
27. Wild Turkey* (v)
28. Eastern Wood-pewee†
29. Tennessee Warbler †
30. Northern Flicker (v)

Elsewhere

31. Mallard
32. Herring Gull
33. Chipping Sparrow (v)

(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
†First-of-year