A wonderfully overcast day. I love sunny days, of course, and snowy winter days, and days of every other kind of skies—but every so often comes a special overcast that seems to me protective, like a blanket. This was one of those.
What’s more, lots of birds—including a couple of firsts-of-year: Red-eyed Vireo and Great Crested Flycatcher. (Also a two firsts elsewhere.) And plenty of other resident species have yet to arrive, which makes for the certainty of near-future excitement.
Also had the honor of holding a Red-bellied Snake, for a moment, gently. The snake was another first of year.
The trails were dry this morning for the first time in a while, but a few overnight rain showers are forecast, then sun tomorrow. Already imagining what sort of day it’ll be.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 6:18 a.m. sun time (7:18 DST), I hiked all trails.
Dog and I met friends (dog and human) at the wooded trailhead for an earlier-than-usual hike this morning. It was a lot of fun. Chilly, mostly sunny, and a lot leafier than yesterday.
No firsts-of-year today, but a total of thirty-three species (ten of them warblers), and the fine experience of a fresh new lush spring morning.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 4:40 a.m. sun time (5:50 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. Ovenbird** 2. Black-throated Green Warbler** (v) 3. American Goldfinch (v) 4. Black-and-white Warbler (v) 5. Chestnut-sided Warbler** 6. Common Yellowthroat 7. Gray Catbird** 8. Blue Jay 9. Northern Parula (v) 10. American Redstart (v) 11. Eastern Towhee 12. Black-capped Chickadee (v) 13. Rose-breasted Grosbeak (v) 14. Nashville Warbler (v) 15. American Crow* 16. Field Sparrow (v) 17. Veery (v) 18. Chipping Sparrow (v) 19. Song Sparrow (v) 20. Eastern Phoebe (v) 21. Eastern Bluebird 22. Purple Finch (v) 23. Yellow Warbler (v) 24. White-breasted Nuthatch 25. Red-winged Blackbird (v) 26. American Robin 27. Northern Cardinal 28. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v) 29. Tree Swallow 30. Savannah Sparrow 31. Wood Thrush (v) 32. Tufted Titmouse (v) 33. Black-throated Blue Warbler (v)
Elsewhere
34. Mallard 35. Wild Turkey
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
A lot cooler today than yesterday, and a bit blusterier. But also mostly blue above, and the leaves have started to obscure the canopy. And birdsong was everywhere this morning as dog and I headed up the hill.
First-of-year bird? A loudly singing Wood Thrush. Most notable sighting? Possibly the pair of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks hanging out in the leafy trees about half way up. (Saw a third below.) In fact, as I was watching the female, she suddenly took off, and a Cooper’s Hawk came zipping by—an unsuccessful chase, I’m pretty sure.
Spied another tanager today. Three geese flew over. Many, many warblers.
Yet again, I anticipate another fun walk tomorrow.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 6:05 a.m. sun time (7:05 DST), I hiked all trails.
