Another lovely spring day, but cooler, and with a lot of sunshine. Thought I’d have lot fewer species on my list this morning than I ended up with—a nice mix. First-of-year bird (which I didn’t confirm until I downloaded a blurry photo of it): Magnolia Warbler.
The few showers forecast for last night left no trace (if in fact they fell). The trails were drier than they’ve been for many weeks, seemed like. Territorial Ovenbirds were chasing each other though the woods. And had another random junco.
Now we wait for flycatchers, wood-pewee, and several other late nesters. Fun time of year.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 6:20 a.m. sun time (7:20 DST), I hiked all trails.
A wonderfully overcast day. I love sunny days, of course, and snowy winter days, and days of every other kind of skies—but every so often comes a special overcast that seems to me protective, like a blanket. This was one of those.
What’s more, lots of birds—including a couple of firsts-of-year: Red-eyed Vireo and Great Crested Flycatcher. (Also a two firsts elsewhere.) And plenty of other resident species have yet to arrive, which makes for the certainty of near-future excitement.
Also had the honor of holding a Red-bellied Snake, for a moment, gently. The snake was another first of year.
The trails were dry this morning for the first time in a while, but a few overnight rain showers are forecast, then sun tomorrow. Already imagining what sort of day it’ll be.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 6:18 a.m. sun time (7:18 DST), I hiked all trails.
Weather-wise, the morning began overcast and lowery but ended with a half-blue sky and lovely light. Above, more Broad-winged Hawks moving through, and Turkey Vultures. Also a random vee of twenty Double-crested Cormorants (first-of-year birds at Beech Hill).
Crows and ravens and jays and many sparrows. Woodpeckers and finches and thrushes. I could possibly feel content if a day like this one repeated until the day I died.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 6:45 a.m. real time (7:45 DST), I hiked all trails.
