Warmer this morning than a day ago, but with a healthy southwest wind. Did not know what to expect, bird-wise.
Not a lot of species to start (nor photo ops), although the highlight was likely the Merlin that we spooked at the summit and I could not photograph as it flapped swiftly away.
Had only a dozen spp. by the time we returned down the lower wooded trail. Did not expect more. But then I heard the voice of a Golden-crowned Kinglet, and spotted a few, and a Brown Creeper appeared. And, after that little pause to attempt actual bird pics, I heard a pair of bluebirds and watched a gull fly away above the canopy.
Clouds are supposed to gather tomorrow, with rain Friday night. Saturday we might get to hike in afternoon for a change.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:14 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. American Crow** 2. Tufted Titmouse 3. American Goldfinch** 4. Black-capped Chickadee 5. Blue Jay 6. Hairy Woodpecker 7. Downy Woodpecker (v) 8. Yellow-rumped Warbler 9. White-throated Sparrow (v) 10. Merlin 11. Purple Finch (v) 12. American Robin (v) 13. Golden-crowned Kinglet 14. Brown Creeper 15. Eastern Bluebird (v) 16. Herring Gull*
Elsewhere
17. Northern Cardinal (v)
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
Freezing this morning. Literally: 32° (F). Bundled up, donned our blaze orange accessories, and dog and I hit the hill at about the regular time. Quite a few bird species around—more than the past couple days—and some rather exciting moments, too.
Most notable was my spying a Ruffed Grouse before the bird took off. (I can count on one hand the number of times that’s happened in my 40 years in Maine.) Also, a whole truckload of bluebirds showed up.
I wonder what tomorrow will bring.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:14 a.m. (EST), I hiked all trails.
1. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 2. Black-capped Chickadee 3. Hairy Woodpecker 4. American Robin (v) 5. American Crow 6. Eastern Bluebird 7. Purple Finch (v) 8. Brown Creeper (v) 9. Hermit Thrush 10. Ruffed Grouse 11. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v) 12. American Goldfinch 13. Pine Siskin (v) 14. Yellow-rumped Warbler 15. White-throated Sparrow (v)
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
Jack-my-dog and I rose at about 5 a.m. this much-chillier-and-breezier morning, because I had the idea that we could rush over to Beech Hill and see the total lunar eclipse just before dawn. Got to the (crowded) main parking a little before 6 a.m., but it soon became apparent that we’d missed the eclipse. Many folks coming down with camera and video gear. “How was it?” I asked one. “Pretty good,” he replied (or something like that).
But never mind. I got photos of the pre-dawn sky. I had a bunch of early birds. Then we hurried over to the wooded trailhead and on the upper section of the lower trail, I spied some Pine Grosbeaks. Four of ’em. Heard them first (a very sweet but not very familiar voice), then spied the birds. Was the highlight of our hike.
A dozen birds again. Later, it being election day, I did my traditional last-of-year bicycle ride to the Town Office to vote. Nice. Fun. Appropriate.
I’ve dearly loved this day.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 5:58 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. American Crow 2. Black-capped Chickadee 3. American Goldfinch 4. Dark-eyed Junco 5. American Robin 6. Yellow-rumped Warbler 7. White-throated Sparrow 8. Eastern Bluebird 9. Pine Siskin 10. Pine Grosbeak 11. Purple Finch 12. Northern Cardinal
Elsewhere
13. Wild Turkey
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
