Sunset.
Another overcast morning—but a surprisingly balmy one. A minor thaw began early, as water trickled from under the great snow piles, and the piles themselves drew inward, became more compact. Once six-foot plow drifts on the fringes of the parking lot now look to be about four feet, tops. Crows were hollering in the oaks when Jack and I first stepped out, and on our return around the building I spotted a big red-tailed hawk sitting on the high oak perch it seems to like, crows shouting from all around. Only when it spotted us earth-bound creatures, though, did it take wing and fly off toward the south.
Moon over Beech Hill.
The hairy woodpecker was calling again.
Thick clouds persisted for most of the day—until right about mid-afternoon, when I got up to tackle daily errands, dog in tow, and noticed a band of clearing away to the southwest. By the time we’d gone to town (two gull species, pigeon, starling) and swung by Rockport Village (house sparrow), I needed sunglasses. As I steered into the Beech Hill parking lot, most of the sky had gone clear.
No one else on the hill late today—just me and Jack. The hard-packed track remained fairly hard-packed, but it had a bit of a slip to it, thanks to the warming trend. The temperature had to have risen into the 40s (F), and I didn’t bother with more than a hooded sweatshirt. Quite a contrast from yesterday.
High fields of clouds hung in the northeast, catching the glow of the setting sun, which was setting behind its own cloud field. From the summit, fine views in every direction. Sometimes I imagine living in Beech Nut. I could do that. No problem.
Beech Nut and the bay.
Came back down listening for bird calls. Heard none. Just a couple small dogs barking from across the road, and the whine of a snowmobile engine being revved by somone off in the distance, and the persistent rush of traffic on faraway Route 17.
Tonight the moon has haze around it, and Jupiter peeks through a break in the clouds. Mallards are quacking over in Clam Cove. Still rather balmy out—but the wind’s supposed to rise, and the temperature’s supposed to plunge. And a couple days after, it’s supposed to rain.
Somewhere, bald eagles are thinking about The Nest. All in all, a pretty standard February in Paradise.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 4:30 p.m., I hiked the open trail.
No birds seen or heard on the hill today.
Elsewhere
1. American crow
2. Red-tailed hawk
3. Hairy woodpecker
4. Herring gull
5. Ring-billed gull
6. Rock pigeon
7. European starling
8. House sparrow
9. Mallard
Jack on the hill.
Tags: American crow, European starling, hairy woodpecker, herring gull, mallard, red-tailed hawk, ring-billed gull, rock pigeon
