Warmer this morning than a day ago, but with a healthy southwest wind. Did not know what to expect, bird-wise.
Not a lot of species to start (nor photo ops), although the highlight was likely the Merlin that we spooked at the summit and I could not photograph as it flapped swiftly away.
Had only a dozen spp. by the time we returned down the lower wooded trail. Did not expect more. But then I heard the voice of a Golden-crowned Kinglet, and spotted a few, and a Brown Creeper appeared. And, after that little pause to attempt actual bird pics, I heard a pair of bluebirds and watched a gull fly away above the canopy.
Clouds are supposed to gather tomorrow, with rain Friday night. Saturday we might get to hike in afternoon for a change.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:14 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. American Crow** 2. Tufted Titmouse 3. American Goldfinch** 4. Black-capped Chickadee 5. Blue Jay 6. Hairy Woodpecker 7. Downy Woodpecker (v) 8. Yellow-rumped Warbler 9. White-throated Sparrow (v) 10. Merlin 11. Purple Finch (v) 12. American Robin (v) 13. Golden-crowned Kinglet 14. Brown Creeper 15. Eastern Bluebird (v) 16. Herring Gull*
Elsewhere
17. Northern Cardinal (v)
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
Dog and I had a nice long hike today with our friends Joe and Amy—including a stretch of the Erickson Fields trail. Not a whole lot of birds, but enough to make things interesting.
Especially interesting was yet another harrier experience: crows mobbed the bird, which rose and dipped (as usual), and then a Merlin appeared and began zipping all over the place, chasing whatever it could. When the harrier finally decided to move on, the little falcon stuck around and began to dive bomb the crows. Was a lot of fun.
Final bird? A high-flying eagle that Joe spotted. Nice end to a nice hike with friends.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:59 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. American Crow* 2. American Robin 3. Hairy Woodpecker 4. Blue Jay** 5. Yellow-rumped Warbler 6. Tufted Titmouse** 7. Northern Cardinal 8. Black-capped Chickadee 9. Northern Flicker 10. Eastern Bluebird 11. American Goldfinch 12. Northern Harrier 13. Merlin 14. Herring Gull 15. Great Black-backed Gull 16. Common Raven 17. Bald Eagle
Elsewhere
18. Wild Turkey
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
