Had a good sleep and awoke to a semi-foggy yet rather warm morning. Checked online and found that the overnight wind direction was south. Decided 12 May might be an auspicious day.
And, by golly, it sorta was: most species in Maine so far, along with four first-of-year birds—and ten warblers total. (Three of the warblers were first of year.) Also got my first photo of a catbird, which was something of a thrill. We also surprised a White-tailed Deer down the lower wooded trail, and I got to watch how they fly in great bounds through the understory (unlike the Mule Deers’ funny hop through the scrub.
Back home, had another few nice looks—including a turkey in the west yard. Plus, as a find bonus, I rode more than eight miles on my bicycle (first ride since I lived here last—lovely).
All in all, a very nice day.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:42 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. Ovenbird** 2. Black-and-white Warbler** 3. Black-throated Green Warbler** 4. Pine Warbler** 5. Northern Parula** 6. American Goldfinch 7. Northern Flicker (v) 8. Chestnut-sided Warbler 9. Black-capped Chickadee 10. Eastern Towhee 11. Blue Jay 12. Gray Catbird 13. American Crow* 14. Tufted Titmouse** (v) 15. Nashville Warbler† (v) 16. Yellow Warbler 17. Song Sparrow 18. Rose-breasted Grosbeak† 19. Common Yellowthroat† 20. American Robin 21. Chipping Sparrow** 22. Northern Cardinal* 23. Eastern Phoebe* 24. Osprey 25. Broad-winged Hawk* 26. Hermit Thrush (v) 27. Field Sparrow 28. White-throated Sparrow 29. Turkey Vulture 30. Palm Warbler 31. American Redstart† 32. Red-winged Blackbird 33. White-breasted Nuthatch 34. Herring Gull* 35. Blue-headed Vireo
Elsewhere
36. Wild Turkey 37. Mourning Dove 38. European Starling 39. Rock Pigeon
Mammals
White-tailed Deer
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
Had an eerie sense of déjà vu during my Beech Hill hike with Jack this early morning. As if caught between two times and places. After thousands of hikes up the hill over the years, we took a couple-three years off—and still I feel kind of caught in between Utah and Maine.
The trails were wider, the trailside underbrush cleared out. (No doubt this helps discourage black-legged ticks.) But after following all trails today, I felt I’d recollected all there is to know about the place. I’m sure that’s not entirely true—but still.
Thirty-two bird species. (Yay!) Among them many old familiar faces, beaks, eyes, habits. Could hardly stop searching—then admiring—whenever we’d hear the voice of a new bird.
A very fun morning.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:58 a.m., I hiked all trails.
