In the wee hours this morning, dog and I were awakened by a lightning strike about a block away. Crack! (So near, there was no rumble following.) And then it began to rain. I checked the weather radar, and a solitary thundershower was basically centered directly above us—the only precipitation in the state.

By daylight, much of the rain had evaporated in the warm air, turning it muggy. And during our hike, the birds were quieter than on recent mornings. But, as always, we were both amused and inspired.

Most notable: a solitary brown thrasher popped up between the woods and open fields. A first-of-year bird.

Beech Hill List
Beginning at 7:40 a.m., I hiked most trails.

1. Red-eyed Vireo
2. American Crow* (v)
3. Black-throated Green Warbler (v)
4. American Goldfinch**
5. Hermit Thrush
6. Black-capped Chickadee**
7.White-breasted Nuthatch** (v)
8. Eastern Wood-pewee
9. Tufted Titmouse (v)
10. Northern Flicker
11. Downy Woodpeckers
12. Eastern Towhee
13. Alder Flycatcher
14. Gray Catbird
15. Song Sparrow*
16. Common Yellowthroat
17. Cedar Waxwing
18. Yellow Warbler (v)
19. Barn Swallow
20. American Robin*
21. Ruby-throated Hummingbird
22. House Wren (v)
23. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v)
24. Least Flycatcher (v)
25. Brown Thrasher†
26. Northern Cardinal* (v)

Elsewhere

27. Rock Pigeon

Mammals

Eastern Gray Squirrel

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