Sinking sun.
A rollicking, busy, thawy morning. The snowfall had sunk an inch or two since yesterday, I’d guess, and had gotten denser. Icicles had fallen, and I knocked a couple giant remnants off the eaves. Sunlight splashed the landscape, and the temperature rose quickly to freezing and above.
Beech Hill.
And that, perhaps, is what got the birds going. Chickadees frolicking out back, titmice singing deedle-deedle-deedle! Crows seemingly everywhere. House sparrows making a racket across the road. And a solitary goldfinch delivering its distincive, sweeping, sugary call that reminds me a little of a slide guitar.
Monday is Monday is a busy day. Not bad, just busy. Still, it took until later this afternoon for Jack and me to extricate ourselves from the home place and make our way out into the world. Errands in town—two species of gull and a swooping flock of pigeons—then a quick drive on up to Beech Hill.
I recognized the single vehicle in the parking lot as belonging to Joe, the hill steward. The snow seemed packed and manageable, so I blew off my snowshoes, and dog and I started right up. Many, many chickadees flitting and calling among the trees. Warm enough, not much wind. We made our way briskly up the hill.
Beech Nut arch.
The sky had a number of interesting clouds in it. The sun was heading down behind some of them—or, more accurately, the planet was spinning up. The ripply, snowy hillsides had weeds poking through. About half-way up, I heard the cry of a flicker.
Met Joe at the summit, measuring things. He’d gone up on cross-country skis. We chatted a bit, and then he had to head down—which he did, rapidly, as Jack whined and cried out of desire to be moving so fast. Once he settled down, we started our descent at our usual pace. I heard crows calling from the periphery.
Beech Nut.
Another nice Beech Hill hike. Just about every hike there is a nice hike—I daresay, every one. We got back down, headed home. Scanned for the reported Clam Cove red-shouldered hawk but didn’t see it.
Tonight the sky has clouded over. I hear rumors of more snow on the way overnight..
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 3:45 p.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. Black-capped chickadee
2. Northern flicker (voice)
3. American crow (voice)
Elsewhere
4. Tufted titmouse
5. House sparrow
6. American goldfinch
7. Herring gull
8. Ring-billed gull
9. Rock pigeon
Tags: American crow, American goldfinch, black-capped chickadee, herring gull, house sparrow, northern flicker, ring-billed gull, rock pigeon, tufted titmouse
