Rain was in this morning’s forecast as late as last evening. Rain did not occur. Instead, an early foggy overcast burned away to let the sun shine through. The birds seemed to appreciate it.
Not that we encountered any particularly odd species, dog and me—although we did spook a grouse—but they were busily angling for food, feeding youngsters, posing for closeups, flying over at a distant, vocalizing while staying out of sight.
Tomorrow, however, I expect the forecast rain (or showers) will arrive. Will be ready for it.
Beech Hill List Starting at 6:37 a.m. EST (7:37 DST), I hiked all trails.
1. Red-eyed Vireo** 2. Ovenbird** 3. Eastern Phoebe 4. Black-throated Green Warbler 5. Eastern Wood-pewee 6. Blue Jay 7. Hairy Woodpecker 8. Northern Cardinal 9. Veery 10. Black-capped Chickadee 11. Osprey 12. White-breasted Nuthatch 13. Black-and-white Warbler 14. American Goldfinch 15. American Crow 16. Scarlet Tanager 17. Hermit Thrush 18. Tufted Titmouse 19. Eastern Towhee 20. Pileated Woodpecker 21. Chestnut-sided Warbler 22. American Redstart 23. Alder Flycatcher 24. Gray Catbird 25. Song Sparrow 26. Yellow Warbler 27. Chipping Sparrow 28. Ruffed Grouse 29. American Robin 30. Cedar Waxwing 31. Common Yellowthroat 32. Field Sparrow 33. Eastern Bluebird 34. Red-winged Blackbird
It seemed a little early to have a tanager show up on the hill during my morning hike with dog, but there he was. I heard him first—as is nearly always the case—and crept up close enough for a photo. Last year I don’t believe I encountered a tanager at all (not sure), but know I didn’t see one. They used to arrive in late May, early June. A sign of warming? Likely so.
Coincidentally, about the same time I spied the tanager, I noticed an Olive-sided Flycatcher perched high on a small snag, with nothing but blue sky beyond. Those were the only firsts-of-year on our hike this morning.
But what a fun and lovely morning it was.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 6:05 a.m. sun time (7:05 DST), I hiked all trails.
’Tis the season of the Ovenbird. Just now they’re singing teacher–teacher–TEACHER! all through the woodlands around here. I might well have mentioned before that I set my phone’s ringtone to the song of the Ovenbird so I’d never hear it at this time of year. (These days I leave my cell on mute while birding.)
They’ve been around for several days, but today was the first time one posed for a photo, perched about twenty or thirty feet up in the canopy.
Today’s first-of-year bird? Another one word species: Veery. I’ve missed this plain little thrush. Won’t be long before a lot of other species will be arriving—flycatchers, tanagers, and the like.
Also saw a hare and snake. I love these greening days.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 6:18 a.m. sun time (7:18 DST), I hiked all trails.
