This morning dawned hazy clear, with temps about freezing and hardly any wind. I expected some bluebirds maybe, but maybe not much else—and I was kinda wrong on both counts. For one thing, the number of species started rising quickly; for another, no bluebirds until we’d started back up over the hill.
Notable were junco, loon, and Red-shouldered Hawk, but most interesting was the number of yellow-rumps.
Yellow-rumped Warblers have been hanging around all winter. They seem to like to hang out with bluebirds. Today was no exception: returning over the summit, we encountered four bluebirds and four ’rumps. It’s fun for me to try to imagine how come these two species like to hang out together.
Otherwise, at home early, I heard (then spied) a gang of five redwings. Spring is most definitely here.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:12 a.m. (8:12 stupid DST), I hiked all trails.
The storm had passed, and the temperature had risen to the point that big glops of wet snow had begun to drop from the whitened trees by the time dog and I headed up to the wooded trailhead. We got there kind of early.
Blue, blue skies, lighter winds, temps above freezing—several birds made their appearances known right away. It seemed a little like a bluebird day, but a bit windier and chillier, so the first thrill happened when, as we were nearing the summit, I heard the voice of a bluebird. I wondered if it was singing from the box at the top of the hill—and it was.
Cardinals, chickadees, and titmice singing. Also, toward the end of our hike, a Red-shouldered Hawk in flight somewhere out toward the bay.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 6:53 a.m. (7:53 stupid DST), I hiked all trails.
1. Northern Cardinal** (v) 2. Tufted Titmouse (v) 3. Black-capped Chickadee** 4. American Crow* 5. American Goldfinch** (v) 6. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 7. American Robin (v) 8. Eastern Bluebird 9. Yellow-rumped Warbler (v) 10. Blue Jay** (v) 11. Pileated Woodpecker (v) 12. Red-shouldered Hawk (v)
A little later, a little warmer than yesterday’s hike—perhaps a little calmer air, as well. All this combined to deliver a few more birds. And an interesting variety, from thrushes, to woodpeckers, to finches, to corvids, to sparrows—even my first waxwing in a while.
Most notable might’ve been the (very loud) Red-shouldered Hawk that appeared low above the trees—too low for a photo, alas, but you can’t miss this species’ call.
Busy otherwise today—a fruitfully busy one. Frankly, I could relieve this day forever and be content.
But tomorrow will come another one. And what’ll happen, no one knows.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 8:06 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. Tufted Titmouse 2. American Crow 3. American Robin** 4. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v) 5. Purple Finch 6. Black-capped Chickadee** 7. Downy Woodpecker 8. Red-bellied Woodpecker 9. American Goldfinch 10. Hairy Woodpecker 11. Yellow-rumped Warbler 12. Blue Jay** (v) 13. Eastern Bluebird 14. Northern Flicker 15. Cedar Waxwing 16. Song Sparrow (v) 17. Savannah Sparrow 18. Red-shouldered Hawk 19. White-throated Sparrow 20. Brown Creeper
Mammals
American Red Squirrel
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
