Well, wasn’t this morning’s a fun birding excursion. Dog and I hit the trail kind of early—same time as yesterday, pretty much—but things seemed awfully quiet to start. Then, as we approached the edge between woodlands and open fields, all heaven broke loose.
Heard (and saw) Red-bellied Woodpeckers. Flushed a couple of turkeys. Then at the little summit spruce grove, where a fly hatch was going on, a couple unexpected species showed up. Most notably, a little group of orioles (first of year). But also a solitary Least Flycatcher, which must’ve been having a field day up there.
Also, at one point, I heard a Killdeer fly overhead. Random.
Random, but really cool.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:14 a.m., I hiked most trails.
1. American Goldfinch** 2. American Crow* 3. Red-eyed Vireo** 4. Black-throated Green Warbler (v) 5. Pileated Woodpecker (v) 6. Mourning Dove* (v) 7. Eastern Wood-pewee 8. Black-capped Chickadee** 9. Hermit Thrush (v) 10. Blue Jay (v) 11. Tufted Titmouse 12 White-breasted Nuthatch** 13. Red-bellied Woodpecker 14. Northern Flicker (v) 15. Wild Turkey 16. Eastern Towhee 17. Alder Flycatcher 18. Common Yellowthroat 19. Gray Catbird 20. Cedar Waxwing 21. Song Sparrow 22. Yellow Warbler (v) 23. American Robin 24. Rose-breasted Grosbeak 25. Baltimore Oriole† 26. Field Sparrow (v) 27. Eastern Phoebe 28. Least Flycatcher 29. Black-and-white Warbler 30. Eastern Bluebird 31. Savanna Sparrow (v) 32. Downy Woodpecker 33. Killdeer (v) 24. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v) 35. Northern Cardinal (v) 36. Hairy Woodpecker
Elsewhere
37. Herring Gull 38. Chipping Sparrow (v)
Mammals
White-tailed Deer (v)
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
Kind of a lovely morning. Sunny and calm, with just a hint of breeze. Not too warm, not too cold. Summer singing going on.
I don’t know this for a fact, but my theory is that birds are singing again now that they’ve got fledglings roaming about who need to learn the songs of the species.
Whatever the fact of it, it’s lovely to think of all those young birds out there.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:15 a.m., I hiked the open trail.
On my Beech Hill hike with Jack this morning, I encountered 18 bird species—among them American Woodcock, Eastern Phoebe, Great Blue Heron, Northern Harrier, American Kestrel, Red-winged Blackbird, Killdeer, and Eastern Bluebird. Just a wonderful hour of walking around.
A thought occurs:
Despite the gray, chilly, muddy, leafless landscape you might see out your windows, this is a perfect time of year to take up birding. Spring migration is happening, folks. So if you’re not already a birder, considering grabbing a pair of binoculars, buying (or borrowing) a field guide, and stepping out for a look and listen. Prepare to be inspired, thrilled, frustrated, astounded, pleased with yourself, and filled with awe.
Honestly, I envy novice birders, recalling that sweet awakening to a world I’d never known. No matter your age or personality or politics, birding will improve your life. Believe me.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 8:30, I hiked the open trail.
1. Hairy Woodpecker 2. American Robin* (v) 3. Northern Cardinal** (v) 4. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 5. Tufted Titmouse** (v) 6. American Woodcock** 7. Mourning Dove* (wingbeats) 8. Red-winged Blackbird 9. Song Sparrow** 10. Eastern Bluebird 11. American Crow* 12. American Kestrel 13. Northern Harrier 14. American Goldfinch 15. Great Blue Heron 16. Killdeer 17. Black-capped Chickadee** 18. Eastern Phoebe**
Elsewhere
19. Herring Gull 20. Rock Pigeon 21. Mallard 22. House Sparrow
v = Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere
