Eastern bluebird.
Today was much like yesterday but a lot windier. So when Jack and I hit the Beech Hill trail this afternoon, I wrapped a scarf around my face. Undaunted by the frigidity, chickadees and titmice flitted about in the branches of the trees around the parking lot. The trail had trecherous stretches of ice-slick snow. Nearing the top, I ran into my friend Chip, and we chatted a while. (Honestly, I’d expected we’d be alone up there again, even on a Saturday.) As we talked, I noticed a big cloud of herring gulls circling away toward the bay.
Black-capped chickadee.
Returning, we met a gang of young people ascending—none with scarves wrapped around their faces. And a mom and kiddo were just starting up as we got back to the chickadee trees.
But driving back along South Street, I saw a couple birds zip by and stopped. Could they have been bluebirds? Flipped on my emergency flashers, told Jack I’d be right back, grabbed my camera, and tracked ’em down: about a half-dozen eastern bluebirds, apparently finding plenty to eat on a brisk January day.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 2:45 p.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. Black-capped chickadee
2. Tufted titmouse (v)
3. Herring gull*
4. Eastern bluebird
Elsewhere
5. American crow
v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
Tags: American crow, black-capped chickadee, eastern bluebird, herring gull, tufted titmouse
