This morning was chilly, breezy, bright. The birds were there, but they were hunkered down, flitting in the shadows, keeping on the quiet side. So Jack and I had to sneak quietly around to find ’em.
Which was a lot of fun. Tiny subtle movements revealed vireos or thrushes or warblers. Not a lot of singing.
The most dramatic occurrence was when a raven descended into the woodland canopy directly above us (as we were standing still, listening to little birds), followed by crows. A raven can’t go anywhere without an entourage.
Rain tomorrow, so they say. We shall see.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:30 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. Ovenbird (v) 2. American Robin (v) 3. Black-throated Green Warbler (v) 4. White-breasted Nuthatch 5. Black-and-white Warbler 6. Hermit Thrush 7. Tufted Titmouse** (v) 8. Black-capped Chickadee** 9. Turkey Vulture 10. Blue Jay** 11. Eastern Towhee 12. Great Crested Flycatcher (v) 13. Northern Parula 14. White-throated Sparrow 15. Herring Gull* (v) 16. American Crow* 17. Nashville Warbler (v) 18. Tree Swallow 19. Field Sparrow (v) 20. Yellow-rumped Warbler (v) 21. Common Yellowthroat 22. American Goldfinch** 23. Downy Woodpecker (v) 24. Eastern Phoebe 25. American Kestrel 26. Osprey 27. Chipping Sparrow** 28. Gray Catbird (v) 29. Blue-headed Vireo 30. Common Raven 31. Pileated Woodpecker
Elsewhere
32. House Finch 33. Rock Pigeon 34. European Starling 35. Ring-billed Gull
v = Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere
Rained early, then the thick fog fell. The hike was damp but invigorating. The birds were there on the hill, but I saw but few of them. It’s been a watery spring so far. (Not complaining.)
Elsewhere, the birds were more observable—among them a good-looking pigeon on the peak of a roof on the business block in town.
It brightened later, but we’re still not done with the gray days of April.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 9:45 a.m., I hiked the open trail.
The day started off sub-freezing but warmed about 25 degrees (F) by afternoon. This had the happy effect of melting most of the recent snowfall, clearing food for birds.
The birds themselves weren’t overly active, limited as they’ve been lately. Also, no huge migrations in a couple days (that I’ve observed anyway).
I did get good looks at waterfowl, though—among them mallards in love.
Update: Heard a Barred Owl in the back yard while in bed tonight.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 8 a.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. Northern Cardinal** (v) 2. American Robin* (v) 3. Mourning Dove* (v) 4. Song Sparrow* 5. American Crow* 6. American Goldfinch 7. White-breasted Nuthatch (v)
Elsewhere
8. Herring Gull 9. House Finch (v) 10. Ring-billed Gull 11. European Starling 12. Common Loon 13. Red-breasted Merganser 14. Mallard 15. Barred Owl (v)
v = Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere
Bird Report is an intermittent record of what's outside my window in Rockport, Maine, USA (44°08'N latitude, 69°06'W longitude), and vicinity. —Brian Willson
