Nippy, but not quite as nippy. Breezy, but not so breezy. Overcast—a fairly heavy overcast, so I was happy to have decided to wear my winter coat. (Captain Jack didn’t mind at all, since he’s always wearing the right clothing.)

Had few birds ascending the wooded trail, but nearing the summit, I heard a raven and crows. Heading down the open trail, we met an online friend and his dog (neither of whom we’d met before), so had company for a while. Yellow-rump, crossbill. Toward Beech Hill Road, bidding farewell to our friends, we happened to be surrounded by birds—bluebirds, nuthatches, a woodpecker, a Brown Creeper.

All-in-all a lovely, fun, overcast winter’s day.

Beech Hill List
Beginning at 8:15 a.m., I hiked all trails.

1. American Goldfinch (v)
2. Black-capped Chickadee
3. Common Raven (v)
4. American Crow** (v)
5. Yellow-rumped Warbler (v)
6. Red Crossbill
7. Eastern Bluebird
8. Red-breasted Nuthatch
9. White-breasted Nuthatch (v)
10. Hairy Woodpecker
11. Brown Creeper

Elsewhere

12. Herring Gull

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