Brown Creeper.
Got up to a nippy sort of morning. Sub-freezing out (as it really should be early at this season), but birds about—including a calling Pileated Woodpecker for the second straight morning. Right away got really busy with desk work, though, and didn’t get out until this gray late-afternoon (DST, argh)—made a quick trip to the post office before my hike with dog.
Bald Eagle.
The lot was empty when we arrived, but two vehicles pulled in soon after us. Still, just as I got out of the truck, I heard the bright, cheery warbling song of a Brown Creeper. Looked up, and there he was—or one of a pair (I heard at least one other calling nearby). Also a Hairy Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, nuthatch, and chickadee, all not three paces away from my driver’s door.
Up the hill a ways were robins. And then an unexpected big bird flew over: an adult bald eagle with an odd dark feather splayed out from the base of its tail. Not time enough to focus well, but a nice sight as it flapped slowly out toward the bay.
In all, there were 14 species at Beech Hill in my half-hour up there with Jack. Not bad for a few days before astronomical spring.
Hairy Woodpecker.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 4:15 p.m. (EDT), I hiked the open trail.
1. Brown Creeper
2. Hairy Woodpecker
3. Black-capped Chickadee**
4. Downy Woodpecker
5. White-breasted Nuthatch* (v)
6. Tufted Titmouse** (v)
7. American Crow*
8. American Robin
9 Bald Eagle
10. Northern Flicker (v)
11. House Finch** (v)
12. Song Sparrow (v)
13. Dark-eyed Junco (v)
14. Northern Cardinal (v)
Elsewhere
15. American Goldfinch (v)
16. Mourning Dove (v)
17. Pileated Woodpecker (v)
18. Herring Gull
19. Rock Pigeon
20. House Sparrow
v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: American crow, American goldfinch, American robin, bald eagle, black-capped chickadee, brown creeper, dark-eyed junco, downy woodpecker, hairy woodpecker, herring gull, house finch, house sparrow, mourning dove, northern cardinal, northern flicker, pileated woodpecker, rock pigeon, song sparrow, tufted titmouse, white-breasted nuthatch
