Ruby-crowned kinglet.
First, before I forget, in the wee hours of this morning I heard off to the northwest a curious two-note hoot of a barred owl. Clearly a barred owl—with its telltale rough, downward last note—but not a call I’d heard before.
Ruby-crowned kinglet.
Second, what a biddy afternoon at Beech Hill! The day was gray and chilly and breezy as Jack and I started up the wooded trail. Before we’d gotten very far—literally a stone’s thrown from the parking lot—I heard yellow-rumped warblers, scanned the young trees, and realized we were surrounded by little birds. Some were golden-crowned kinglets: heard them first, then saw them flitting around. Others were ruby-crowned kinglets, many ruby-crowneds, some of them emitting small harsh alarm notes. Not sure I’ve ever been in the company of so man kinglets.
Many ‘rumps, too, and chickadees, and at least one northern parula and one palm warbler. I could see at least two dozen birds zipping about in the trees around us. And beyond them I heard jays, crows, and a towhee. Also spotted a white-throated sparrow fluttering away into the undergrowth. Ten species within about our first fifty yards. A few other hikers walked past us, no doubt wondering what the heck I was looking at, but you’d have to know to pay pretty close attention to see the birds. We were surrounded. It was pretty spectacular.
Farther up the hill I saw more yellow-rumps, more ruby-crowned kinglets, and more white-throats. Also song sparrows. And I heard a flicker and, down the southern slope, at least one bluebird.
Not until we nearly got back to the pickup did I add another bird to today’s list: a titmouse calling from the same birdy area we’d passed at first. But most of the other little birds—notably excepting yellow-rumps—had by then flown.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 4:15 p.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. Yellow-rumped warbler
2. Golden-crowned kinglet
3. Black-capped chickadee**
4. Ruby-crowned kinglet
5. Northern parula
6. Palm warbler
7. American crow* (v)
8. Blue jay**
9. Eastern towhee (v)
10. White-throated sparrow
11. Song sparrow (v)
12. Northern flicker (v)
13. Eastern bluebird (v)
14. Tufted titmouse (v)
Elsewhere
15. Barred owl (v)
16. Herring gull
v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: American crow, barred owl, black-capped chickadee, blue jay, eastern towhee, golden-crowned kinglet, herring gull, northern flicker, northern parula, palm warbler, ruby-crowned kinglet, song sparrow, tufted titmouse, white-throated sparrow, yellow-rumped warbler
