The day dawned cloudless (aside from some warm water clouds above the bay) and pretty chilly (teens (F)), and a little breezy. Didn’t really know what to expect this wintry-feeling morning.

What we got, dog and I, turned out to be pretty fun: good hike, good birds, frigid fingers (me), bites of icy snow (Jack), a Yellow-rumped Warbler.

Yellow-rumps have been wintering over, apparently. They like to hang out with bluebirds—also fairly recent winter residents. This particular winter, I’ve seen more of both species than I ever did before my little sabbatical in Utah. It’s been kind of fun, having a winter warbler to look for. Just a few years ago, I wouldn’t have thought it possible.

But ’rumps are hardy birds. And there’re plenty of Northern Bayberry for them to munch on. I wonder what benefits they and the bluebirds get from intermingling.

Beech Hill List
Beginning at 8:19 a.m., I hiked all trails.

1. Tufted Titmouse (v)
2. American Goldfinch (v)
3. Black-capped Chickadee**
4. Red Crossbill (v)
5. American Crow*
6. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v)
7. Eastern Bluebird
8. Yellow-rumped Warbler

Elsewhere

9. Herring Gull (v)

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