American Redstart.
Redstarts are active around here. A male and female set up shop in a moist, green area of youngish hardwoods, then they guard that area for many yards around, the male of the pair singing long and loud from all corners. Right about now, they’ve got eggs, at least, and likely nestlings to feed.
Hairy Woodpecker.
They’re not that easy to see unless you hear their song, recognize it, and stop among the swirling mosquitoes to catch a glimpse. When you do spot one of the singing males, your heart might give a little pitter-pat, because they’re striking birds, black on top with red-orange patches and white bellies and a manner of flitting and fluttering like butterflies almost.
Today at Beech Hill, Jack was his usual patient self, waiting on the leash behind me—motionless and quiet—as I worked on grabbing at least one decent photo of a male redstart I happened upon soon after we began our daily hike. This one was grabbing little green caterpillars in a stand of young poplars. I watched him flit about, sing, flit again, sing, grab a caterpillar, sing, scratch his head feathers, sing.
It was a warmish, wind day with clouds moving over. Dry, but not a lot of sun until later in the day, and we hiked the whole hill. The wind was so loud in the thick, leafy canopy that I didn’t hear many of the bird calls I usually do—but I did, somehow, hear the tapping of a hairy woodpecker down in the bottomlands. I could hardly belief I heard that. Must’ve been a recognizable pattern within the loud rush of all those green wind-whipped leaves.
Also saw a turkey in the far eastern field. As we got near, the turkey hen ducked down and seemed to vanish in the tall grass. She must’ve had chicks, I figure.
Tonight is mild and fragrant with a little breeze. Just took Jack out a minute ago and watched a slow-blinking firefly.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 3:45 p.m., I hiked all trails.
1. Eastern Towhee
2. American Redstart**
3. Yellow Warbler** (v)
4. Chestnut-sided Warbler**
5. Ovenbird**
6. Song Sparrow**
7. Common Yellowthroat** (v)
8. American Goldfinch (v)
9. Tree Swallow
10. Wild Turkey
11. Black-capped Chickadee (v)
12. Black-throated Green Warbler (v)
13. Hairy Woodpecker
14. American Robin*
15. Field Sparrow (v)
16. Alder Flycatcher (v)
17. Cedar Waxwing
18. Chipping Sparrow
Elsewhere
19. Osprey (v)
20. House Sparrow (v)
21. Northern Cardinal
v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: alder flycatcher, American goldfinch, American redstart, American robin, black-capped chickadee, black-throated green warbler, Cedar waxwing, chestnut-sided warbler, chipping sparrow, common yellowthroat, eastern towhee, field sparrow, hairy woodpecker, house sparrow, northern cardinal, osprey, ovenbird, song sparrow, tree swallow, wild turkey, yellow warbler
