A warm morning, leading up to a warm day—mid-60s in afternoon. There was wind, but also sun, and I needed only a light jacket and wore my regular (not insulated) jeans. Good decisions all.

Did not know what to expect today, and ended up highly entertained by what we encountered. Most notable: a first-of-year Osprey, and a first-of-year Mourning Cloak butterfly. Also more Palm Warblers, and a little flock of waxwings that zipped by as we were hiking the open trail.

It’s suddenly dry on the trails—and no real relief in sight. But tomorrow will be a warm one, with Friday maybe even warmer.

P.S. Heard my first spring peepers last night.

Beech Hill List
Beginning at 6:24 a.m. real time (7:24 DST), I hiked all trails.

1. American Robin**
2. Eastern Phoebe**
3. Song Sparrow*
4. Turkey Vulture
5. Tufted Titmouse**
6. American Goldfinch
7. American Crow*
8. Blue Jay
9. Black-capped Chickadee*
10. Northern Cardinal** (v)
11. Palm Warbler
12. Ruffed Grouse
13. Hairy Woodpecker (v)
14. Pileated Woodpecker (v)
15. Yellow-rumped Warbler
16. Osprey†
17. Herring Gull*
18. Eastern Bluebird
19. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (drumming)
20. American Kestrel
21. Cedar Waxwing
22. Golden-crowned Kinglet (v)

Elsewhere

23. Mallard
24. Wood Duck†
25. House Finch (v)
26. Wild Turkey
27. White-breasted Nuthatch

Butterflies

Mourning Cloak†

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