The forecast was for rain pretty much all day. Up early to check the weather radar, noting that, although it’d rained at some point overnight, it wasn’t raining now. Radar showed no rain for a couple hours—so right away dog and I hit the trail.
Quiet, as I’d expected. Cool, fresh air, dramatic sky, but few bird species. Still a lovely morning.
On our return, only about a hundred yards from the truck, I noticed a bunch of little birds poking about in a couple hardwoods above the trail. First one I spotted was a Northern Parula. And for the next maybe ten minutes, Jack waited patiently while I stood there snapping photos of birds. Added eight species to my list during those minutes.
Not long after our return home, it began to rain. All day, pretty much—and pretty hard at times. Supposed to continue off and on until morning.
Real good to have the rain.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 6:59 a.m., I hiked all trails.
Gotta admit, I love ravens. Smart birds, with a language of their own—croaks, and wails and baby-like cries and liquid sounds like water. There’s a nest somewhere near where Jack and I hike each day. Used to be just on the other side of Beech Hill Road, but I think it’s moved east a ways.
Today I heard a raven’s croak early in our hike, but didn’t see the bird (or another member of its family) until later. In flight. Croaking. Communicating with a distant relative.
Otherwise, a lovely hike—mostly sunny, with cool, dry [too dry] air and enough birds to keep my jumping. Including young waxwings learning how to pluck flies from a hatch atop the spruce grove.
Yep, we need rain. Will have some eventually—but maybe not tomorrow.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:25 a.m., I hiked most trails.
1. Blue Jay 2. American Crow 3. American Goldfinch 4. Red-eyed Vireo 5. Black-capped Chickadee 6. Ovenbird 7. White-breasted Nuthatch 8. Brown Creeper 9. Eastern Wood-pewee 10. Northern Parula 11. American Redstart 12. Tufted Titmouse 13. Common Yellowthroat 14. American Robin 15. Eastern Towhee 16. Alder Flycatcher 17. Common Raven 18. Red-breasted Nuthatch 19. Cedar Waxwing 20. Gray Catbird 21. Yellow Warbler 22. House Finch 23. Song Sparrow 24. Herring Gull 25. Turkey Vulture 26. Eastern Phoebe 27. Northern Cardinal
Elsewhere
28. Osprey
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
