Led a bird walk this morning. It was a pretty fun time. Lots and lots of warblers (and other species) right near the trailhead first thing. Fewer birds higher up—and a stout northwest wind at the summit.
But also a loon at the summit. Kestrel. Broad-winged hawk. A coffee and pastries and a fireplace fire and classical guitar music in the hut.
Dog and I would surely enjoy day like this every day of the year.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. American Robin* (v) 2. Black-throated Green Warbler 3. Ovenbird** 4. Northern Parula 5. Great Crested Flycatcher 6. Common Yellowthroat** 7. Black-capped Chickadee* (v) 8. White-breasted Nuthatch 9. Black-and-white Warbler 10. American Redstart 11. Blue Jay** (v) 12. Pileated Woodpecker (v) 13. Chestnut-sided Warbler** 14. White-throated Sparrow 15. Northern Cardinal (v) 16. Wood Thrush (v) 17. Blue-headed Vireo 18. Eastern Towhee 19. American Goldfinch 20. Tufted Titmouse (v) 21. American Crow 22. Field Sparrow (v) 23. Song Sparrow 24. Tree Swallow 25. Rose-breasted Grosbeak (v) 26. Herring Gull* 27. American Kestrel 28. Common Loon 29. Broad-winged Hawk (v) 30. Hermit Thrush (v) 31. Veery 32. Black-throated Blue Warbler 33. Eastern Phoebe 34. Northern Flicker (v)
Seen/heard by others
35. Swainson’s Thrush 36. Blackburnian Warbler 37. Common Raven
Elsewhere
38. House Finch (v) 39. Chipping Sparrow
v = Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere
Chestnut-sided Warblers are a common species at Beech Hill—perhaps the most common nesting species. But I’ve missed them this chilly spring. They were rather late to arrive.
Now, however, they’re back in respectable numbers. Which comforts me.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:15 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. American Robin* (v) 2. Ovenbird 3. Black-throated Green Warbler 4. Black-capped Chickadee 5. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 6. Northern Parula 7. Black-and-white Warbler 8. Eastern Towhee 9. Gray Catbird 10. Blue-headed Vireo 11. Hermit Thrush 12. American Goldfinch** 13. Blue Jay* 14. Purple Finch (v) 15. Nashville Warbler (v) 16. Chestnut-sided Warbler** 17. Common Yellowthroat** 18. Eastern Towhee 19. Field Sparrow 20. Song Sparrow** 21. Yellow Warbler 22. Tree Swallow 23. American Kestrel 24. Rose-breasted Grosbeak (v) 25. American Crow* 26. Eastern Phoebe** 27. Tufted Titmouse (v) 28. White-throated Sparrow (v) 29. Black-throated Blue Warbler 30. Common Raven 31. Yellow-rumped Warbler 32. Northern Flicker (v)
Elsewhere
33. House Finch (v) 34. Chipping Sparrow 35. Brown-headed Cowbird (v) 36. Mourning Dove 37. Rock Pigeon 38. Common Grackle
v = Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere
Chilly this morning. Forties (F)—and a cold night forecast for tonight, along with possible snow tomorrow. Latest coldest high temps ever, thanks to anthropogenic climate change.
Bald Eagle (adult).
But the birds seem happy. Three more first-of-year species today (Yellow Warbler, Veery, and Rose-breasted Grosbeak). Plus, I shocked myself by getting a photo of the elusive Nashville Warbler.
Tomorrow should be interesting.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:30 a.m., I hiked all trails.
