The temperature dipped into the 50s (F) overnight, and a stout breeze was blowing when dog and I headed up the wooded trail. Very few birds made themselves known at first—my list had only five or six species by the time we reached the summit—but one of them (I found out later) proved to be rather exciting.
Not until I looked at my photo of the Swainson’s Thrush did I recognize it. (I’d assumed it was a Hermit Thrush, one of which I’d seen shortly before.) I’ve encountered only a handful of the species at Beech Hill—usually, it seems, at about this season. This one turned out to be today’s highlight.
Tomorrow—for the first time in I cannot remember how long—we might not go hiking in the morning. There’s a tropical storm warning: We’re in the path of Hurricane Lee. Gonna be very wet and very windy. We shall see!
Beech Hill List Starting at 7:14 a.m. EST (8:14 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. Eastern Wood-pewee (v) 2. Tufted Titmouse (v) 3. Hermit Thrush 4. Swainson’s Thrush 5. American Crow* 6. Black-capped Chickadee** 7. Common Yellowthroat (v) 8. Eastern Towhee (v) 9. Song Sparrow** 10. Red-breasted Nuthatch 11. Turkey Vulture 12. American Goldfinch 13. American Robin (v) 14. Blue Jay** (v)
Elsewhere
15. Carolina Wren (v) 16. House Finch (v) 17. House Sparrow (v) 18. Herring Gull 19. Osprey 20. Rock Pigeon 21. Mallard
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
When dog and I started up the wooded trail this morning, the temperature was in the 50s (F). Mostly sunny, and I knew this summer day would warm, but the coolness invigorated us both, I think. Also a few birds.
Before long, for instance, standing in one place, I added five woodpecker species to my early list. Near the top of the woods, I heard the loud, croaking calls of two ravens (first in weeks). At the end of our hike, I spied the first redstart in a while—and, for good measure, heard the unmistakable cry of an Osprey.
In other news, before our hike I heard a Carolina Wren in the woods at the edge of the yard, and afterward, I helped reintroduce a lost juvie robin to its parent(s). An all-around good day.
Beech Hill List Starting at 7:05 a.m. EST (8:05 DST), I hiked all trails.
Quick hike with our human and dog friends this warm, bright morning. Pretty quiet still—quieter than yesterday—what with all the young birds about. No great photos today—but it was a fun one.
But, back home, out on the west lawn, I got a photo of a House Finch.
Beech Hill List Starting at 6:58 a.m. EST (7:58 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. Red-eyed Vireo (v) 2. Eastern Phoebe (v) 3. Tufted Titmouse 4. Black-throated Green Warbler (v) 5. Song Sparrow** 6. American Goldfinch 7. Ovenbird (v) 8. Hermit Thrush (v) 9. Eastern Towhee 10. Black-capped Chickadee (v) 11. Eastern Wood-pewee (v) 12. American Crow* 13. Northern Flicker (v) 14. American Robin* 15. Pileated Woodpecker (v) 16. Blue Jay (v) 17. Gray Catbird 18. Common Yellowthroat (v) 19. Field Sparrow (v) 20. Cedar Waxwing 21. Yellow Warbler (v) 22. Alder Flycatcher (v) 23. Turkey Vulture 24. Purple Finch (v)
