Upon rising this morning, the sun emerged, then faded in and out and in again as swirly white clouds floated overhead from the west. And the birds were really quiet. We walked long stretches, dog and I, without hearing a (literal) peep—because (I figured), at least in part, they don’t want to draw attention to their youngsters.
Throughout our hike, scanning the canopy, I caught sight of just three wood-warbler species, poking about for insects and caterpillars. Not one of them uttered a single tweet.
Beech Hill List Starting at 7:03 a.m. EST (8:03 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. Blue Jay 2. American Goldfinch 3. Black-capped Chickadee 4. Red-eyed Vireo 5. Black-throated Green Warbler 6. Eastern Wood-pewee 7. Hermit Thrush 8. White-breasted Nuthatch 9. American Robin 10. American Crow 11. Eastern Towhee 12. Gray Catbird 13. Cedar Waxwing 14. Song Sparrow 15. Purple Finch 16. Red-tailed Hawk 17. Herring Gull 18. American Redstart 19. Black-and-white Warbler 20. Hairy Woodpecker
Another sunny day, and a mild one. My hike with dog was a tiny bit chilly to start—but it was downright hot when we got done. High temps in the 80s (F) today.
The birds were perhaps a bit quieter than on recent days, but my list still added up to thirty-four species. Notable was a persisting Prairie Warbler and a pair of hawks on the wing.
Tomorrow’s high is supposed to be twenty degrees cooler. Will be interesting to see how different my list will be.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 6:30 a.m. sun time (7:30 DST), I hiked all trails.
I had an early appointment this morning, so for the first time in—I think—years, dog and I took our hike in afternoon. The light was bright, the air was cool, the winds were high, the birds were sparser than at earlier hours. However, it was as fun as ever.
A couple dozen species total, with the most notable bird being a Hermit Thrush that popped up on a little snag just in front of us and posed for photos. Also two hawks and a vulture. Several warblers.
The early excursion involved a drive to Portland, so on the way I got some unusual (for me) birds while zipping past.
Tomorrow will be early, as usual. Maybe a first-of-year species or two?
Beech Hill List Beginning at 12:10 p.m. sun time (1:10 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. Ovenbird (v) 2. Black-throated Green Warbler** (v) 3. Song Sparrow (v) 4. American Goldfinch (v) 5. Black-and-white Warbler** (v) 6. Brown Creeper (v) 7. Red-eyed Vireo (v) 8. Eastern Towhee 9. Northern Cardinal (v) 10. Chestnut-sided Warbler 11. Hermit Thrush 12. American Crow* 13. Blue Jay (v) 14. Black-throated Blue Warbler (v) 15. Field Sparrow (v) 16. Yellow Warbler (v) 17. Turkey Vulture 18. Red-tailed Hawk 19. Broad-winged Hawk 20. Chipping Sparrow 21. Herring Gull* 22. Eastern Phoebe** 23. Tufted Titmouse (v) 24. Purple Finch (v)
Elsewhere
25. Mallard 26. Red-bellied Woodpecker (v) 27. European Starling 28. Double-crested Cormorant 29. Osprey 30. Rock Pigeon
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
