A cool morning, not cold. Sun at first, then overcast. The bay reflecting a beautiful, dramatic, moody sky. Few birds, though. And only one half-way decent photo of a cardinal.
But that’s all right. Captain Jack and I had our usual fun time absorbing the landscape, the air, the temperature, the sights the smells.
We’ll do it again tomorrow.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:51 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. American Crow* 2. Black-capped Chickadee 3. American Goldfinch** 4. Pine Siskin (v) 5. Downy Woodpecker (v) 6. Northern Cardinal 7. Evening Grosbeak (v)
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
Warmish (30s (F)), calm, and mostly clear as dog and I headed up to the wooded trailhead. Although I typically try not to, this morning I had expectations. Expectations because of the calmness, the clearness, the warmish temperatures. I figured we’d see bluebirds, at least.
And I did see bluebirds—later in our hike‚—but not before I saw the most noteworthy species: a lone Hermit Thrush as we were returning up the manicured main trail. Thought it was a sparrow at first so was rather surprised and thrilled to see it. Watched as it left the trail briefly to grab (and swallow) a good-sized caterpillar. Took a few photos before slowly beginning to walk again. Of course it would fly away.
Another nice surprise was a Pileated Woodpecker I happened to spy taking off as we descended back toward the truck. Never got a look at it again.
Supposed to rain overnight. We shall see what Monday morning brings.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:41 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. Black-capped Chickadee 2. Tufted Titmouse (v) 3. Hairy Woodpecker 4. American Crow* (v) 5. American Robin 6. American Goldfinch (v) 7. Brown Creeper (v) 8. Purple Finch (v) 9. Northern Flicker 10. Yellow-rumped Warbler 11. Red-breasted Nuthatch 12. Pine Siskin (v) 13. Eastern Bluebird 14. Hermit Thrush 15. Pileated Woodpecker 16. White-breasted Nuthatch**
Mammals
American Red Squirrel (v)
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
I thought I saw an owl this morning. I feel pretty sure I did see an owl, in fact. A Barred Owl is my guess. But all I really saw was a hawk-sized brown bird float silently down between the (similarly brown) tree trunks along the trail I was hiking with Jack-my-dog. “Hawk!” was my first thought. But the broad-wings are gone—and at this season, what other hawk would decide to hang out among the trunks of a forested hillside?
Without a sure ID, of course, I couldn’t add the bird to my list today. Nor could I add two species with very different unfamiliar calls. I could add the woodcock we flushed, though. And a Pileated Woodpecker.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:10 a.m., I hiked all trails (and then some).
1. American Goldfinch** 2. Black-capped Chickadee 3. Blue Jay 4. American Crow* 5. Pileated Woodpecker 6. Pine Siskin (v) 7. American Woodcock 8. Song Sparrow 9. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v) 10. American Robin 11. Northern Flicker (v) 12. Purple Finch (v) 13. Eastern Bluebird (v)
Elsewhere
14. Northern Cardinal (v) 15. Wild Turkey
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
