Savannah sparrow.
Cold front moved through. The blazing morning sun contrasted with a temperature somewhere under 50 (F). Acorns have been bouncing off the parking lot lately, and I’ve noticed gray squirrels scrambling around in the oaks the past few days. A couple birding friends are heading to Monhegan over the weekend. An antic westerly wind whipped the trees around. This time of year comes accompanied by a certain air of uncertainty.
Ascending.
My workday had its ups and downs. Scrambled a little, goofed off a little, got a little done. In afternoon, I pulled on a long-sleeved jersey before heading out on my bicycle. It was a brisk ride. The wind being westerly, and my route being north-south, I found myself riding intermittently into the teeth of it in both directions. Or, seemingly at random, it would push me swiftly along.
Left work a little early and arrived at Beech Hill with Jack at right about 5. Couple vehicles in the parking lot. No birds that I could hear above the rush of the antic wind.
We hiked up at a fast pace. I’d worn a T-shirt, but the warmth of sun against the western hillside lightened the effect of the wind chill. Still, every other hiker we met wore sweatshirts, jackets, hats. I scanned the treetops for waxwings: none. I scanned the slopes for crows: nope. I listened—but heard only the wind in my ears. Not far below the summit, though, I spotted a little sparrow hurrying along the trail ahead of us. A savannah sparrow, looked like. Got a couple photos to confirm it.
A clear view to the east. Saw a few sails out in the bay—fewer than a week ago. Then saw a small songbird flying high over toward the north. I got it in my binoculars—it looked yellowish and had slightly undulating flight. Not a goldfinch. Didn’t look like a waxwing. I simply couldn’t get an ID.
Mount Desert.
We walked over and down to the blackberry tangles. If you look hard enough, you can still find quite a few ripe ones, I must’ve eaten a dozen. Saw no birds, though, and heard no bird voices. Twice, I did hear the sound of wingbeats in the trailside brush—catbird? towhee?—but didn’t catch sight of either bird. On our return, just as I was getting used to the idea of having a single species on my list today, I spotted a collection of crows flapping up from the west. They circled down to the south and around and eventually returned, flying low over our heads, cawing. Then I heard jays.
Crows and jays, crows and jays.
Before climbing into the truck, I took another listen—and could barely make out the peeps and chips of chickadees from across the road.
Still a bit of a breeze tonight, and the stars tonight seem sharper and more distinct. Jupiter hangs just to the right of the waning gibbous moon—and you can see all four of its Galilean moons through binoculars. Seems Orion should be visible again soon, although I’m not exactly certain of when that’ll be.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 5 p.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. Savannah sparrow
2. American crow
3. Blue jay (voice)
4. Black-capped chickadee (voice)
Elsewhere
5. Herring gull
6. Rock pigeon
7. Osprey
Tags: American crow, black-capped chickadee, blue jay, herring gull, osprey, rock pigeon, savannah sparrow
