Chickadee at work.
In the woods this morning with dog
I witnessed a thing that I like to call
“The Chickadee Trick” in action.
Outside of nesting season—
even in deep winter—if you listen
for Black-capped Chickadees on the move,
Bald Mountain.
then scan the bare-limbed hardwoods,
you’re bound to see other species
following after the chickadees, whose
voices serve as sort of a beacon.
Along the lower Beech Hill wooded trail,
accompanying a little gang of chickadees
were a family of titmice and a Brown Creeper.
Not long after, in a great bayberry patch,
a Yellow-rumped Warbler was tagging along
with another group of black-caps.
At a little distance, later, I also saw
a young man lob a large piece of litter
far off into the berry brambles.
But at a little distance I also heard
the notes of an Eastern Bluebird.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 8:30 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. Black-capped Chickadee**
2. American Goldfinch (v)
3. Eastern Bluebird (v)
4. American Crow*
5. Brown Creeper
6. Tufted Titmouse
7. Yellow-rumped Warbler
8. American Robin
Elsewhere
9. White-breasted Nuthatch (v)
10. Downy Woodpecker (v)
11. Herring Gull
v = Voice Only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: American crow, American goldfinch, American robin, black-capped chickadee, brown creeper, downy woodpecker, eastern bluebird, herring gull, tufted titmouse, white-breasted nuthatch, yellow-rumped warbler
