Was supposed to rain lightly today, but dog and I awoke to a foggy morning. And it remained foggy—a thick fog, a calm atmosphere—throughout our two-hour hike up the hill.
Didn’t expect much in the way of photos—and wasn’t sure of bird numbers, either—but was pleasantly surprised in both cases. Had thirteen species, and a few half-way-decent photos, a first-of-year kinglet, and a decent pic of a female Pileated Woodpecker.
Pretty sure we’re supposed to get a little sun tomorrow. Maybe we’ll even get another first-of-year bird.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 6:58 a.m. (7:58 stupid DST), I hiked all trails.
1. American Robin 2. American Crow* 3. Black-capped Chickadee** 4. Red-bellied Woodpecker (v) 5. Blue Jay (v) 6. Herring Gull* (v) 7. Eastern Bluebird 8. Pileated Woodpecker 9. Ruby-crowned Kinglet† 10. Tufted Titmouse (v) 11. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 12. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v) 13. Red-winged Blackbird (v)
Elsewhere
14. European Starling (v) 15. Mallard 16. Rock Pigeon
Mammals
American Red Squirrel
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
Above freezing this morning, and the sun emerged a time or two, and the sky was super lovely—mostly cloudy but patches of blue and rays of sunshine—but with a little wind. Still, birds showed up, seemingly itchin’ for spring.
Despite the wind and clouds, I spied a bluebird. And a dozen robins down by the road. The usual crows and chickadees and titmice; the unusual Pileated Woodpecker and Red Crossbill. And down in the woods, I heard a sound, glanced up into the trees, and saw a turkey flying over. In fact, at least a half-dozen turkeys had taken wing.
Wild Turkeys aren’t uncommon around here at all, but these turkeys were particularly wild.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:42 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. American Robin 2. American Crow* 3. Tufted Titmouse** (v) 4. Eastern Bluebird 5. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 6. American Goldfinch** (v) 7. Hairy Woodpecker 8. Black-capped Chickadee 9. Red Crossbill 10. Pileated Woodpecker (v) 11. Wild Turkey
The forecast was for a chance of snow showers most of today, so I wore my big winter coat despite temperatures of just above freezing. And snow it did. A good few inches of wet, wind-blown snow. Captain Jack and I ended up sopping wet at the end of our fun, quiet, snowy hike.
Few birds on the hill—saw a dozen robins, three other species—but a little gang of Mallards showed up at home after our return. Thus today’s photo.
Snowed for most of the day, making for slow traffic, an accident or two on the roads, and just an interesting winter’s spate of errands. But the sun’s supposed to emerge tomorrow, so likely a different bird situation.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:38 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. American Crow* (v) 2. Northern Flicker (v) 3. American Robin 4. American Goldfinch (v)
Elsewhere
5. Mallard 6. Herring Gull 7. Rock Pigeon 8. Bald Eagle
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
