This morning early as we hiked up the wooded trail, dog and I, the sun was out and the air was warm. Warm for the time of day, that is—and not long after, just plain warm. And that warmth drew the insects out. And the insects drew the warblers (and other birds).

My count today—much to my surprise—topped my previous count for the year (by one). Plus, I had two first-of-year birds: Chestnut-sided Warbler and Northern Parula.

Returning down the trail, in fact, we encountered a little warbler fallout—yellow-rump, black-throated green, parula. How fun the next few days will be.

(Also got a pretty nice photo of my favorite sparrow.)

Beech Hill List
Beginning at 6:04 a.m. real time (7:04 DST), I hiked all trails.

1. American Robin
2. Black-capped Chickadee
3. Blue-headed Vireo
4. Eastern Towhee
5. American Goldfinch**
6. Black-throated Green Warbler**
7. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (v)
8. Black-and-white Warbler
9. Ovenbird (v)
10. American Crow*
11. Downy Woodpecker (v)
12. Blue Jay**
13. Eastern Phoebe*
14. Tufted Titmouse** (v)
15. Brown Creeper (v)
16. White-breasted Nuthatch** (v)
17. Red-winged Blackbird (v)
18. Pileated Woodpecker (drumming)
19. Brown-headed Cowbird (v)
20. Yellow-rumped Warbler
21. Hermit Thrush
22. Gray Catbird (v)
23. White-throated Sparrow (v)
24. Chipping Sparrow
25. Tree Swallow
26. Song Sparrow*
27. Field Sparrow (v)
28. Savannah Sparrow
29. Northern Cardinal*
30. Chestnut-sided Warbler† (v)
31. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v)
32. Northern Flicker (v)
33. Eastern Bluebird
34. American Kestrel
35. Northern Parula†
36. Herring Gull (v)

Elsewhere

37. Wild Turkey
38. Mallard

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