Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
On kind of a lark—but also because it looked so inviting out—we took our hike in the morning today, Jack and I. Oddly, there were no other people or dogs there when we drove up. There were birds, though.
Alder Flycatcher.
Right away I counted six or seven species, and then I spotted the sapsucker. A male sapsucker, drilling the same small tree. After a while he flew, and a female took his place. Watched them for quite a little while before moving on up the hill.
Notable sightings: a Broad-winged Hawk, circling high and calling; the first Alder Flycatcher I’ve seen in a while; only the second or third singing Savannah sparrow in a few weeks. (This spring’s mow near the summit, followed by the application of sulfur, took away a few familiar nesting sites, but they’re certainly around.)
I haven’t posted videos in a while—sorry. I’ll see if I can get those uploaded and viewable soon.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 9:15 a.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. Red-eyed Vireo** (v)
2. Purple Finch (v)
3. American Redstart*
4. Chipping Sparrow*
5. Ovenbird** (v)
6. American Goldfinch
7. Gray Catbird
8. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
9. Black-and-white Warbler
10. Eastern Towhee
11. Cedar Waxwing
12. Song Sparrow**
13. Chestnut-sided Warbler** (v)
14. Yellow Warbler**
15. Common Yellowthroat (v)
16. American Crow*
17. Broad-winged Hawk
18. Eastern Phoebe**
19. Alder Flycatcher
20. Savannah Sparrow
21. Turkey Vulture
Elsewhere
22. House Finch (v)
23. White-breasted Nuthatch
24. House Sparrow
25. Northern Cardinal (v)
26. Herring Gull
27. Rock Pigeon
v = Voice Only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: alder flycatcher, American crow, American goldfinch, American redstart, black-and-white warbler, broad-winged hawk, Cedar waxwing, chestnut-sided warbler, chipping sparrow, common yellowthroat, eastern phoebe, eastern towhee, gray catbird, herring gull, house finch, house sparrow, northern cardinal, ovenbird, purple finch, red-eyed vireo, rock pigeon, savannah sparrow, song sparrow, turkey vulture, white-breasted nuthatch, yellow warbler, yellow-bellied sapsucker
