I knew the rain was coming, so I prepped (emotionally, at least) for a challenging morning hike with dog. Sure enough, the overnight rain—and a temperature in the high 40s (F)—had turned the recent six-plus inches of snow into so much slush. Still, we headed up to the main Beech Hill trailhead, as always, albeit a little later than usual.
As expected, we were first up the slushy trail—wading, basically—and met no other dog or human. I saw no birds either. (Heard the two most dependable species, crow and chickadee.) But did, early on, spy the Snowshoe Hare perched outside its little warren cave.
Pretty sure it’s the same hare I’d seen twice before—same little hidey-hole, anyway—but, boy, was he sopping wet. And so were we.
A brighter, calmer morning tomorrow, and will stay below freezing all day.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 8:56 a.m., I hiked the main trail—and then some.
1. American Crow* (v) 2. Black-capped Chickadee** (v)
The forecast was for a bomb cyclone, and we got one.
Rained overnight, and the wind howled. Conveniently, on the weather radar, a little clear patch appeared in the spiraling storm right over us, so dog and I got out and up the hill.
Windiest day since our return back at the end of April. Gusts up to 50 m.p.h. or more. Wet, too, but not so rainy during our hike. Definitely warm, though—upper 40s (F). Saw no other dogs or humans up there—but a few birds showed up. Very few, although I did see a pair of crows in flight and a bunch of doves as we were leaving.
But the only photo I got was back at home, where a pair of turkeys were pecking about in the windy yard.
Supposed to chill way down tomorrow. Should be interesting.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 8:26 a.m., I hiked the main trail.
1. American Crow* 2. American Robin (v) 3. Downy Woodpecker (v) 4. Mourning Dove
Another clear cool morning, with a slight breeze. Really beautiful fall woods and fields and sky. Also quite a few birds on the hill.
A couple of thrush species, a couple of corvids, a couple of finches, a couple of woodpeckers, a couple of nuthatches, four sparrows. A gull. Many, many yellow-rumps (again). Other native year-round species—and a kestrel at the end.
Cloudy tomorrow, some rain next week. A rich and varied place this is.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 8:09 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. Ruby-crowned Kinglet (v) 2. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 3. Blue Jay 4. Yellow-rumped Warbler 5. Brown Creeper 6. Eastern Bluebird (v) 7. Purple Finch (v) 8. American Crow 9. Black-capped Chickadee 10. Hairy Woodpecker (v) 11. American Robin (v) 12. American Goldfinch (v) 13. Northern Flicker (v) 14. White-throated Sparrow 15. Eastern Towhee (v) 16. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v) 17. Savannah Sparrow 18. Song Sparrow 19. Mourning Dove 20. Herring Gull 21. American Kestrel
Mammals
American Red Squirrel Eastern Gray Squirrel
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
