Pretty sure the bird in the photo above is a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. I don’t see this species often—in fact, I believe my first Beech Hill sighting happened in early September last year—but this particular bird happened to pop up right in front of me as dog and I were moseying along the upper wooded trail. If you’re patient, and attentive, and have developed sort of fine-tuned observatory senses, every now and then you get a gift like this.
Beech Hill List Starting at 6:53 a.m. EST (7:53 DST), I hiked most trails.
No clouds in the sky this fair morning, but a light wind blowing from the west. Few birds to start, but it seems at this time of year they’re moving around in the edges, readying for migration.
Most notable? A cooperative Swainson’s Thrush that posed for me. I’ve seen so few of these—maybe four or five, tops—that it’s still a thrill. Especially when I have photographic proof. Also noteworthy: another Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and a little wave of Yellow-rumped Warblers.
Nice species count today. What count might I have tomorrow? I wonder.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:30 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. Northern Flicker (v) 2. American Crow* 3. Red-eyed Vireo 4. Black-capped Chickadee 5. American Robin (v) 6. Cedar Waxwing 7. Red-breasted Nuthatch** 8. Eastern Towhee 9. Gray Catbird 10. Swainson’s Thrush 11. American Goldfinch 12. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher 13. Common Yellowthroat (v) 14. Blue Jay** 15. Yellow-rumped Warbler 16. Eastern Phoebe 17. Song Sparrow 18. Herring Gull* 19. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 20. Yellow Warbler 21. Savannah Sparrow 22. Tufted Titmouse (v) 23. Eastern Wood-pewee (v) 24. Pileated Woodpecker (v)
Elsewhere
25. Mourning Dove
Mammals
Eastern Chipmunk
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
This morning was much like yesterday morning: beautiful, cool (but not quite as cool), clear (but not quite as clear), and birdy (actually birdier).
Three woodpecker species, another tail-flicking Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Brown Creepers, another grosbeak, and a whole mess of waxwings. Nuthatches, four wood-warblers—just a real fun excursion.
Also had visits with a couple nice humans and dogs up there. (The hill is where our social life is, dog and me.)
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:40 a.m., I hiked all trails.
