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.

1. Wild Turkey
2. American Crow*
3. Veery (v)
4. Blue Jay (v)
5. Eastern Towhee**
6. Black-capped Chickadee**
7. Song Sparrow
8. American Goldfinch
9. Gray Catbird
10. Common Yellowthroat (v)
11. Red-bellied Woodpecker (v)
12. Yellow-rumped Warbler (v)
13. Hermit Thrush
14. Field Sparrow
15. Purple Finch (v)
16. Eastern Phoebe
17. Northern Parula
18. Eastern Bluebird (v)
19. Red-breasted Nuthatch
20. Chipping Sparrow
21. Nashville Warbler
22. Alder Flycatcher
23. Tufted Titmouse (v)

Elsewhere

24. Carolina Wren (v)
25. Herring Gull

Mammals

Eastern Chipmunk (v)
Eastern Gray Squirrel

(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
†First-of-year