Had appointments this morning, my return hike to Beech Hill with dog didn’t happen until late morning. Didn’t expect too many bird species; didn’t encounter too many. However, I encountered a lot of birds.
Mainly that’s because of the numbers of Yellow-rumped Warblers. (I settled on 30 individuals, but I believe that’s rather low.) Also had at least a dozen White-throated Sparrows—probably more like sixteen. And a goodly number of chickadees.
In just the five days were were on Monhegan, the color of the landscape has changed—much more yellowish, with reds in the fringes. It’s happening.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 11:14 a.m., I hiked all trails.
A chilly morning (low 50s (F)), a cloudless morning (other than a line of clouds far out in the bay), with a stout gusty breeze. I had no expectations, but I thought of the possibility of some interesting migrating birds.
As it happened, there were birds of interest—notably a random Blackpoll Warbler up in the greenery between the woods and open fields—but mostly the usual suspects. Along with a couple “big birds” in flight (Turkey Vulture and Common Raven).
Blackpoll Warbler.
Twenty-four species, though not many numbers of each. Those numbers will increase, though. Looking forward to it.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:37 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. Tufted Titmouse 2. Northern Flicker 3. Cedar Waxwing 4. Black-capped Chickadee* 5. Eastern Towhee 6. Gray Catbird 7. American Crow* 8. Blackpoll Warbler 9. Hermit Thrush 10. Blue Jay (v) 11. Yellow-rumped Warbler 12. Common Yellowthroat (v) 13. American Goldfinch (v) 14. Eastern Phoebe 15. Song Sparrow 16. Savannah Sparrow 17. Eastern Bluebird 18. Common Raven 19. American Robin 20. Turkey Vulture 21. Red-bellied Woodpecker (v) 22. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 23. Downy Woodpecker (v) 24. Brown Creeper (v)
Elsewhere
25. Carolina Wren (v) 26. Herring Gull
Mammals
Eastern Chipmunk (v)
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
The forecast called for a morning overcast, and there were clouds—but there was also sun. And birds. Things are coiling up like a spring, awaiting the sweet release of fall migration.
Notable: a Cooper’s Hawk, a pair of sharpies, three species of corvid, vultures, and a gang of four Red Crossbills atop the summit spruce grove.
Supposed to rain tomorrow, but not early, so a morning hike it will be.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:49 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. Blue Jay** (v) 2. Tufted Titmouse (v) 3. American Crow* 4. Red-eyed Vireo 5. Black-capped Chickadee 6. American Robin (v) 7. Eastern Towhee 8. Gray Catbird** 9. Common Yellowthroat 10. American Goldfinch 11. Cooper’s Hawk 12. Purple Finch (v) 13. Yellow-rumped Warbler 14. Red-breasted Nuthatch 15. Song Sparrow** 16. Sharp-shinned Hawk 17. Common Raven (v) 18. Eastern Wood-pewee (v) 19. Eastern Phoebe 20. Herring Gull* 21. Turkey Vulture 22. Red-bellied Woodpecker (v) 23. Savannah Sparrow 24. Red Crossbill 25. Cedar Waxwing
Elsewhere
25. Mourning Dove
Mammals
Eastern Gray Squirrel Eastern Chipmunk
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
