’Tis the season of the Ovenbird. This perky little terrestrial-nesting warbler—with his stylish orange mohawk—nests in a dutch-oven-style nest of leaves on the sun-dappled forest floor and declares its existence from a tree limb twenty or thirty feet above: Teacher, teacher, teacher, teacher, teacher!
They also chase each other with great speed, zipping between trunks, a frantic sort of demonstration of their territorial imperative. But mostly, these mid-May days, their voices echo loudly in the woodlands.
Otherwise notable this lovely (if nippy) morning: a first-of-hill Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Such a fun time of year.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 6:18 a.m. sun time (7:18 DST), I hiked all trails.
Another lovely spring day, but cooler, and with a lot of sunshine. Thought I’d have lot fewer species on my list this morning than I ended up with—a nice mix. First-of-year bird (which I didn’t confirm until I downloaded a blurry photo of it): Magnolia Warbler.
The few showers forecast for last night left no trace (if in fact they fell). The trails were drier than they’ve been for many weeks, seemed like. Territorial Ovenbirds were chasing each other though the woods. And had another random junco.
Now we wait for flycatchers, wood-pewee, and several other late nesters. Fun time of year.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 6:20 a.m. sun time (7:20 DST), I hiked all trails.
A lot cooler today than yesterday, and a bit blusterier. But also mostly blue above, and the leaves have started to obscure the canopy. And birdsong was everywhere this morning as dog and I headed up the hill.
First-of-year bird? A loudly singing Wood Thrush. Most notable sighting? Possibly the pair of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks hanging out in the leafy trees about half way up. (Saw a third below.) In fact, as I was watching the female, she suddenly took off, and a Cooper’s Hawk came zipping by—an unsuccessful chase, I’m pretty sure.
Spied another tanager today. Three geese flew over. Many, many warblers.
Yet again, I anticipate another fun walk tomorrow.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 6:05 a.m. sun time (7:05 DST), I hiked all trails.
