Despite the drippy, overcast conditions, this morning had plenty of bird species—and also a couple of mammals. Not so many mammals on my Maine lists as on my Utah lists, but considering these leafy, wooded conditions compared to the wide open spaces out west, it kind of figures.
Still, it was kind of a thrill to accidentally sneak up on a browsing White-tailed Deer—and, just a few minutes later, surprise a Snowshoe Hare.
Bird-wise, too, fruitful. We’re coming upon the fruitful time of year.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 8:13 a.m., I hiked most trails.
1. Red-eyed Vireo** 2. Ovenbird** (v) 3. Eastern Phoebe* 4. Song Sparrow** 5. Common Yellowthroat (v) 6. American Crow* 7. Northern Cardinal** (v) 8. Black-throated Green Warbler (v) 9. Veery 10. American Goldfinch 11. American Redstart** 12. Chestnut-sided Warbler** 13. Gray Catbird 14. Pileated Woodpecker (v) 15. Black-capped Chickadee** (v) 16. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v) 17. Alder Flycatcher 18. Blue Jay (v) 19. Tufted Titmouse 20. Eastern Towhee 21. Field Sparrow (v) 22. Yellow Warbler 23. American Robin 24. Turkey Vulture 25. Prairie Warbler (v) 26. House Wren 27. Black-and-white Warbler (v) 28. Great Crested Flycatcher (v) 29. Broad-winged Hawk 30. Nashville Warbler (v) 31. Herring Gull* 32. Eastern Wood-pewee (v)
Elsewhere
33. Mallard
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
A day much like yesterday, but mostly cloudy and maybe a bit breezier. About the same number of bird species, a nice feeling of being out and about on the surface of our planet, and a generally fun time for dog and me.
No outlandish surprises, true—but I liked getting a good look at my favorite sparrow on my favorite coastal hill.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 8:08 a.m., I hiked most trails.
Stayed up late last night, slept late-ish this morning. Captain Jack and I didn’t make it to the hill until about 8 o’clock sun time. Sunny and cool and breezy, didn’t think I’d list so many birds at the late hour—but turned out I matched yesterday’s total number of species.
No firsts-of-year, no lifers. Mostly the usual suspects (along with a calling Black-billed Cuckoo, a species I hope to catch sight of one day). Some posed, although my captures tended toward the plain.
Still, what a lovely morning, and what a magical place we get to hang out in every day, dog and me.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 9:01 a.m., I hiked most trails.
