Droplets.
Crazy rain this morning, tapering to drizzle, rising to downpour, lifting into fog. My Beech Hill hike with Jack this afternoon was, without question, the muckiest I can remember. It’s a good thing this land is full of shallow ledge, because otherwise the coastal hills might’ve slipped into the ocean.
Birch.
But the birds didn’t much care. Lots calling around my place, and plenty active at Beech Hill Preserve. I heard only one singing song sparrow up on the foggy hillside—the rest were hanging around the parking lot, including a pair of vocal cardinals. I loved hearing the pileated woodpecker’s voice echoing off somewhere in the misty, still-leafless stands of trees.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 3:30 p.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. Northern Cardinal
2. Black-capped Chickadee**
3. American Goldfinch (v)
4. Song Sparrow** (v)
5. Mourning Dove* (v)
6. Pileated Woodpecker (v)
7. American Crow* (v)
8. American Robin*
9. Tufted Titmouse (v)
Elsewhere
10. House Sparrow (v)
11. Herring Gull
v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
*Voice only elsewhere
Tags: American crow, American goldfinch, American robin, black-capped chickadee, herring gull, house sparrow, mourning dove, northern cardinal, pileated woodpecker, song sparrow, tufted titmouse
