This morning was cloudy and blue, with a breeze—but not a cold one. Also plenty of black flies. Which of course meant warblers. Lots of warblers. Also vireos, thrushes, woodpeckers, etc.
This is that time of year when you never know what you might encounter. Today I spied two species I don’t see often—maybe once every three years or so. Eastern Kingbird and Swainson’s Thrush. The thing I love about such birds is that I know then when I see them, despite there being a bunch of days between sightings.
Other species like that are yesterday’s first-of-year (Blackburnian Warbler) and the Swamp Sparrow I saw some weeks ago.
Tomorrow will bring rain—but also perhaps surprises.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:45 a.m., I hike the open trail.
The Pileated Woodpecker was back this morning, holding a battle of the drummers at another male of his species a ways down the road. Minutes of watching his careful, purposeful listening and drumming gave me a feeling of almost blissful calm.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 8:15 a.m., I hiked the open trail.
Clear skies this morning, and a brisk northwest wind. Not conducive to spring migration, but I got a fairly good list anyway—including, at home, a random Red-bellied Woodpecker.
Robins in the sumac, goldfinches, a solo turkey vulture. A sweet early spring morning.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 8 a.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. White-breasted Nuthatch* (v) 2. American Crow* 3. Tufted Titmouse** (v) 4. Turkey Vulture 5. American Robin* 6. American Goldfinch** 7. Black-capped Chickadee** 8. Common Raven (v)
Elsewhere
9. House Finch (v) 10. Red-bellied Woodpecker 11. Herring Gull 12. European Starling
v = Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere
