The wooded trail.
April is the brightest month—here on the 44th parallel at least. The photoperiod lengthens, the sun travels high, and there aren’t any deciduous leaves to get in the way. Clear days like today will make you blink and squint against the angular yellow sunlight. Somehow I feel sure the early birds do sense this, too.
American robin, Beech Hill, Rockport, Maine, 05 April 2013.
This afternoon, Jack and I hiked the wooded trail for a change. Leafless trees. Robins, chickadees, a hairy woodpecker. Mud on the trail—but not as much as there used to be. No woodcocks or fox sparrows or other new arrivals. I did spot a small brown bird I didn’t have time to ID.
A little windy at the summit, but warm enough (about 50 (F)) that I needed only a sweatshirt today. And no ticks yet that I could see.
Was a nice hike. Jack liked it, too.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 4 p.m., I hiked the wooded trail.
1. Song sparrow*
2. Black-capped chickadee*
3. American robin*
4. Hairy woodpecker
5. American crow* (v)
6. Herring gull* (v)
7. Mourning dove (v)
8. Northern cardinal** (v)
Elsewhere
9. Tufted titmouse**
10. House finch**
11. Herring gull
12. Rock pigeon
v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: American crow, American robin, black-capped chickadee, hairy woodpecker, herring gull, house finch, mourning dove, northern cardinal, rock pigeon, song sparrow, tufted titmouse
