Black-and-white warbler.
Another busy day—but this time under a breezy overcast. Took care of a few chores, then hiked Beech Hill with Jack kind of early. Was surprised to see quite a few cars in the parking lot and quite a few people hiking up and down. Fog, wind, long-sleeves (on everyone but me), and a few jackets and hats. Couldn’t hear many birds above the sound of the wind, but we did encounter a Savannah sparrow hopping up the trail in front of us.
Fallen leaf.
But returning, nearing the parking lot, I heard chips in the small trees and looked up to see a little wave of warblers moving through: yellow-rumps, black-and-whites, redstarts, and likely other species that I didn’t have time to ID. A few people coming up looked at me with puzzled expressions, so I explained that we were surrounded by little birds. They hadn’t noticed. They had no idea. But they looked up and spotted a few.
Who knows? Perhaps the encounter will inspire a couple new birders—and/or people to pay attention on the last day before fall.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 2:15 p.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. Black-capped chickadee
2. Yellow-rumped warbler
3. American crow
4. Savannah sparrow
5. Northern flicker
6. American goldfinch
7. Black-and-white warbler
8. American redstart
Elsewhere
9. Herring gull
10. Mourning dove
11. Canada goose
12. Double-crested cormorant
13. Mallard
v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
Tags: American crow, American goldfinch, American redstart, black-and-white warbler, black-capped chickadee, Canada goose, double-crested cormorant, herring gull, mallard, mourning dove, northern flicker, savannah sparrow, yellow-rumped warbler
