Eastman Mtn. and the Baldfaces, June 7th

[forestgnome]

I volunteered to participate in a mountain birdwatch, monitoring five species. My mountain was Eastman, and it had to be done b/w 4:30 and 5:30 am. I hiked half way there on Slippery Brook Tr from Slippery Brook Rd and camped. I continued hiking at 3:00. It was interesting hiking by headlamp. I almost bumped into a bull moose, who was a bit surprised. The sound of him trotting off was hair-raising in the dark!

At 4:00 I was at the beginning of my route, which ran from the juction of Bald Knob Tr to the summit of Eastman Mtn. A hermit thrush was already singing away. I made my way along the route. I never did hear any Bicknell's Thrush, which is the bird of most interest.

I chose Eastman because it was not covered and it's a favorite of mine. It's a beautiful summit that doesn't get many visitors because of the nearby Baldfaces. Sunrise was glorious...

looking south...

looking north to South Baldface...

With the survey completed, it was time to hike the Baldfaces. The forest was still very wet from the night.

rose twisted stalk...

The undercast was slowly burning off as I made my way over Bald Knob and up South Baldface...

This range is loaded with rhodora. Blue sky, white clouds, undercast, green trees, grey granite, purple rhodora all added vivid color. I hiked over South and over to North summit, where I had a little nap.

Hiking back down South, the undercast was just starting to dissapate.

The hike back through the forest was nice. I had seen lots of wildflowers by headlamp. I've hiked this many times but never in early June, so it was a treat to see all the flowers of this season.

Now blooming are lady's slipper (purple and white), blue bead lily, bunchberry, canada mayflower to name a few. I was quite tired by the time I was back to camp. Now the pack was even heavier for the last few miles out. I'm just not a backpacker. I like my dayhikes, even if they are 20 miles. I did see this doe just before the trailhead. I waited around to see a fawn, but I don't think she had any.

The trail is in great shape, with just a couple blowdowns that were to big to drag off the trail.

happy trails

 

[Solitary]

Your photos are breathtakingly beautiful.

 

[Amicus]

I chose Eastman because it was not covered and it's a favorite of mine. It's a beautiful summit that doesn't get many visitors because of the nearby Baldfaces. Sunrise was glorious...

Eastman is wonderful, and so is your sunrise photo, in particular. It looks like a painting.

I share your views on backpacking, and admire people like you who can distinguish one thrush's song from another's.

 

[Puck]

Did you try th eplayback calls for the Bicknell's?

Great Photos.

I was successful on Nancy Pond. I will post a report later.

 

[forestgnome]

Thanks very much, Amicus! I recently learned to distinguish them by listening to this training cd. They are actually quite unique after you carefully listen to the songs and calls for comparison.

Puck, I can't beleive how dizzy I can sometimes be. Track one is "side B". So, no, I didn't do the playback. I'll try again when I can. I detected all other of the five target species. I'll post further info, and I'll look forward to your report.

I did hear two Bicknell's Thrushes while descending Edmund's Path yesterday, a few hundred yards below treeline, at about 4:45 pm. They were both calling and singing.

happy trails

 

[Early Bird]

Good work, Forestgnome. Awesome pictures. Seriously. I've been participating in Mountain Birdwatch since 2005 and never caught anything as spectacular. I did my survey on North Kearsarge this weekend. As excepted, I didn't find any Bicknell. There were a few on Mt. Tom and near Mt. Field. Make sure you report the ones you heard on Edmund's Path.