Yellow-Rumped Warbler.
This morning while doing the dishes I looked out the window and saw a merlin chasing a small bird (maybe two or three) across the gray sky. It soon veered away and returned up over the hill. I couldn’t tell if it got the bird.
Birch.
There was something of a thaw. This afternoon, as I hiked Beech Hill with Jack, the bounce-back from the ice storm was clear: we didn’t have to duck under drooping tree limbs, and every now and then falling ice and snow would startle Jack. Or me. Or both of us. Ascending, I looked up ahead at my favorite little birch tree, knowing it had a broken branch from the ice but not knowing how that would affect the symmetrical shape I was so familiar with. Well, although its limbs haven’t yet completely sprung back, the broken branch affects its shape fairly dramatically. Still, I think my little tree will be OK.
Heard crows, saw one. Heard a flicker and some chickadees. Saw a solitary yellow-rumped warbler in the bayberry—just after I’d wondered if I’d see one.
Although a good-sized snowstorm is in the forecast, just now—tonight—it’s raining.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 2:15 p.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. American crow*
2. Northern flicker (v)
3. Black-capped chickadee (v)
4. Yellow-rumped warbler
Elsewhere
5. Merlin
6. Herring gull
v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
Tags: American crow, black-capped chickadee, herring gull, merlin, northern flicker, yellow-rumped warbler
