Low-20s (F) this morning, but calm as a lazy summer day. And cloudless: not a single cloud in the sky that I could see—not even out over the bay. And quiet, so quiet. Other than a Downy Woodpecker tapping on a tree near the trailhead, the first few birds I didn’t see, I heard. And then came the bunch of chattering chickadees.
They sounded a little upset, the chickadees, and I saw some flitting through the tree trunks, so I trained my binocs in that direction, and I saw it. A Barred Owl, clearly visible in the morning sunlight. Excitedly, I raised my camera—and the owl had left its perch.
Dangit!
But oh, well. I’m used to dipping on photos. Sure, an owl pic is a rare pic (for me, at least), but I felt sure I’d get others this calm day. And I did, on my return with dog up and over the hill, when I good-sized flock of bluebirds appeared.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:34 a.m., I hiked all trails.
Sub-freezing temps when dog and I reached the trailhead this morning. The air was calm, however, and the feel of it wasn’t as cold as yesterday’s windy day. Wore new winter boots, and my feet stayed real warm.
Few birds early, but eventually some excitement. First, three woodpecker species (visible from the same vantage), then a harrier, which somehow got tangled in leftover blueberry-pick twine. (I quickly managed to release the bird and took down some of the twine; will take down more tomorrow.)
Finally, a group of five ravens very high in the sky headed south a ways. Three of them huddled together, occasionally dive-bombing each other. It was quite a sight to see.
Tomorrow’s supposed to come rains (and possibly ice/snow). Our trip might be a quick one.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:32 a.m., I hiked all trails.
Dog and I had a nice long hike today with our friends Joe and Amy—including a stretch of the Erickson Fields trail. Not a whole lot of birds, but enough to make things interesting.
Especially interesting was yet another harrier experience: crows mobbed the bird, which rose and dipped (as usual), and then a Merlin appeared and began zipping all over the place, chasing whatever it could. When the harrier finally decided to move on, the little falcon stuck around and began to dive bomb the crows. Was a lot of fun.
Final bird? A high-flying eagle that Joe spotted. Nice end to a nice hike with friends.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:59 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. American Crow* 2. American Robin 3. Hairy Woodpecker 4. Blue Jay** 5. Yellow-rumped Warbler 6. Tufted Titmouse** 7. Northern Cardinal 8. Black-capped Chickadee 9. Northern Flicker 10. Eastern Bluebird 11. American Goldfinch 12. Northern Harrier 13. Merlin 14. Herring Gull 15. Great Black-backed Gull 16. Common Raven 17. Bald Eagle
Elsewhere
18. Wild Turkey
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
