Overcast and cool (low-60s (F)) this morning, with just a whisper of a breeze. Quiet on the trail first thing, but occasional calls came through. They’re moving around, the migratory species. They’re readying for the long fall journey.
Notably, more orioles today, and a minor fly hatch atop the summit spruce grove. But most notably was the circling collection of about a dozen barn swallows, a few families catching flies.
And the last bird on my list? A loon calling from not that far above the trees as we neared the end of our hike, dog and me.
(Today I booked dog and me a ferry and room for a Monhegan birding trip next month. It’s been more than three years. Excited.)
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:25 a.m., I hiked most trails.
1. Red-eyed Vireo (v) 2. American Crow* 3. American Goldfinch 4. Black-capped Chickadee 5. Tufted Titmouse (v) 6. Blue Jay (v) 7. Black-and-white Warbler (v) 8. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 9. American Robin 10. Red-bellied Woodpecker (v) 11. Ovenbird 12. Eastern Wood-pewee 13. Brown Creeper (v) 14. Eastern Phoebe* 15. Eastern Towhee 16. Alder Flycatcher 17. Gray Catbird** 18. Northern Flicker 19. Cedar Waxwing 20. Yellow Warbler (v) 21. White-throated Sparrow (v) 22. Baltimore Oriole 23. Barn Swallow 24. Song Sparrow 25. Field Sparrow 26. Least Flycatcher (v) 27. Common Yellowthroat (v) 28. Chestnut-sided Warbler 29. Common Loon (v)
Elsewhere
30. Mourning Dove 31. Herring Gull 32. Rock Dove
Mammals
American Red Squirrel
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
A mostly cloudy hike this morning, and cool, with a tiny bit of breeze. Truly a lovely hike with dog—and anxious-seeming birds.
They know the photoperiod is shortening, and it won’t be long before migration beckons, and they’re flitting around, snatching up caterpillars, or flies, or grasshoppers—and/or berries.
One of the species I saw this morning is notable: a Baltimore Oriole. I’ve encountered the species three times in the past few days, and always (I’m pretty sure) poking about in the same few trees. I don’t see orioles often on the hill, so this has been pretty fun.
I was prepared for a little rain this morning, but the early weather radar showed that most precipitation was sliding off toward the north. One approaching shower could possibly graze us—but I didn’t mind.
Turns out the shower did graze us, but not for about a half hour. Meantime, the birds were shy, the woods were dark, and the air was cool. Pretty lovely, actually. When the shower did come, it turned into one of the most luscious hikes I can remember. Protected by the thick canopy, yet present for the soothing sound of the rain… Hard to describe. Just wonderful.
And after the rain let up, birds emerged—oriole, woodcock, raven, first restart in a good while.
Was looking forward to sweet rain all week, as forecast, but it seems the forecast has changed. We shall see.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:37 a.m., I hiked most trails.
1. Red-eyed Vireo** (v) 2. Hermit Thrush 3. American Crow* (v) 4. Gray Catbird** 5. Eastern Towhee 6. Eastern Wood-pewee 7. Black-capped Chickadee (v) 8. Brown Creeper (v) 9. White-breasted Nuthatch 10. American Robin* 11. Cedar Waxwing 12. American Goldfinch (v) 13. Baltimore Oriole 14. Song Sparrow** 15. Northern Flicker (v) 16. House Finch 17. Mourning Dove* 18. Common Yellowthroat 19. Common Raven (v) 20. Black-and-white Warbler (v) 21. American Woodcock 22. Chestnut-sided Warbler 23. American Redstart 24. Black-throated Green Warbler 25. Tufted Titmouse (v) 26. Red-bellied Woodpecker (v)
Elsewhere
27. Northern Cardinal
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
