A mostly sunny morning, calm, about freezing. First full day of spring.
I kept my ear and eye out for spring things today as dog and I headed up the wooded trail. Singers included chickadees and titmice and cardinals and Brown Creepers. Fourteen species total on the hill—but the most noteworthy bird for me today was elsewhere.
In a residential area near Clam Cove after our hike, I happened to hear a singing Song Sparrow, a first of year for me. This sparrow is a favorite, evocative of spring generally, especially when it first returns from away.
Just listening to that sparrow’s song lifted my mood, affirmed my optimism, and improved my general outlook on the world—at least for this one day.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 6:48 a.m. (7:48 stupid DST), I hiked all trails.
1. American Goldfinch (v) 2. Tufted Titmouse** (v) 3. Northern Cardinal** (v) 4. American Crow* 5. Black-capped Chickadee** 6. Downy Woodpecker (drumming) 7. White-breasted Nuthatch 8. Brown Creeper 9. American Robin 10. Northern Flicker 11. Dark-eyed Junco 12. Yellow-rumped Warbler 13. Eastern Bluebird 14. Blue Jay
Elsewhere
15. Mourning Dove 16. Song Sparrow (v)† 17. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v) 18. Herring Gull
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
The forecast was for a chance of snow showers most of today, so I wore my big winter coat despite temperatures of just above freezing. And snow it did. A good few inches of wet, wind-blown snow. Captain Jack and I ended up sopping wet at the end of our fun, quiet, snowy hike.
Few birds on the hill—saw a dozen robins, three other species—but a little gang of Mallards showed up at home after our return. Thus today’s photo.
Snowed for most of the day, making for slow traffic, an accident or two on the roads, and just an interesting winter’s spate of errands. But the sun’s supposed to emerge tomorrow, so likely a different bird situation.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:38 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. American Crow* (v) 2. Northern Flicker (v) 3. American Robin 4. American Goldfinch (v)
Elsewhere
5. Mallard 6. Herring Gull 7. Rock Pigeon 8. Bald Eagle
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
Maybe every other day this winter, on my Beech Hill hikes with dog, I’ve seen (or heard) Yellow-rumped Warblers. I knew they were a hardy species, and I’ve seen ’em in up there in winter before, but I figured it was an uncommon thing. Not this winter, though.
This gray morning (with precipitation on the way), I saw more ’rumps than I think I have since spring—at least a dozen. And, as usual lately, they were hanging around with bluebirds.
The temp’s supposed to dip tonight (has been thawy for the past few days), but there’s supposed to be light winds and sun. Will there also be bluebirds?
Beech Hill List Beginning at 8:03 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 2. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v) 3. Tufted Titmouse (v) 4. American Crow* 5. Black-capped Chickadee** (v) 6. American Robin (v) 7. Blue Jay (v) 8. Herring Gull 9. Northern Flicker (v) `10. American Goldfinch 11. Eastern Bluebird 12. Yellow-rumped Warbler
Elsewhere
13. Northern Cardinal (v)
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
