White-throated sparrow.
Got to Beech Hill late on this mostly overcast day. Jack and I were the only dog and human up there—however, there were lots of birds. In fact, before we’d even reached the little brook, I’d counted eight species flitting about in the shady understory. Heard the chickadees first, then the chipping yellow-rumped warblers, then the faint wolf whistle of the eastern towhee. Then I spotted a towhee, then another, and another. Perhaps they’re not moving through, after all, but have simply kept quiet until now, the last day of summer, when the time has come to move.
Sumac.
Above the towhee, two species of vireo were hunting caterpillars: red-eyed and blue-headed. A catbird mewed. A goldfinch flew over. Heard the note of a white-throated sparrow. And in the distance, the cries of a gull. That would make nine.
Only one other species on our way up—crow. But at the summit, both white-throated and song sparrows were chipping like crazy. And as we started back down, I heard the voice of a waxwing.
Nothing new in the lower woods today, though. Just chipmunks and red squirrels. The pewees, I fear, have flown.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 4:45 p.m., I hiked the wooded trails.
1. Black-capped chickadee**
2. Yellow-rumped warbler**
3. Herring gull* (v)
4. American goldfinch
5. Eastern towhee
6. Blue-headed vireo
7. Red-eyed vireo
8. Gray catbird
9. American crow
10. Song sparrow (v)
11. Blue jay** (v)
12. Downy woodpecker (v)
13. Cedar waxwing (v)
Elsewhere
14. House sparrow (v)
15. European starling
16. Rock pigeon
v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: American crow, American goldfinch, black-capped chickadee, blue jay, blue-headed vireo, Cedar waxwing, downy woodpecker, eastern towhee, European starling, gray catbird, herring gull, house sparrow, red-eyed vireo, rock pigeon, song sparrow, yellow-rumped warbler
