Trip Report compiled by Abby Wolcott:

A dozen birders gathered at the top of Hill Street poised to explore the HAS Lewis Farm.  Abby led them down the hill to the sounds of silence.  Fortunately, that changed as bird calls filled the air.
We took the time to discuss the Merlin app and Doug Beach’s email about best practices.  Red-bellied woodpeckers called from across the preserve throughout the morning, and the ever-vocal tufted titmice seemed to be everywhere, calling out.  We heard pine warblers from the canopy but they did not reveal themselves.  The group paused after the Billy Goat Gruff Bridge to bask in the morning  sunshine.  We were rewarded by a pair of yellow warblers which were kind enough to light on several low branches in the sun allowing us to “oooh and ahhh”at their splendor.  Eagle -eyed Joan spotted a dark silhouette in the brambles and identified the bird as a rusty blackbird.  He proved to be a “lifer” for a few birders and he stayed posted on his branch for quite a spell.
 The vernal pool area was calling our name so we continued on.  We admired the understory and all the beautiful hues of green prompting a debate whether the color was spring green or leaf green or Granny Smith apple green.  Regardless, the woods were a vision.  We circled back again taunted by the pine warblers but they refused to be seen.  We heard a wood thrush and a white breasted nuthatch and started our way back.  We detoured around the pine tree loop and admired trillium on either side of the path.
As we climbed the Hillary Step, human banter took over for the birds.
One wonderful by-product of birding is meeting so many lovely people and getting acquainted as we wrestle with our binoculars.  All these folks are drawn to birds and this group in particular had it all: patience, kindness, knowledge and humor.  I missed both the birds and the birders as I headed home.
Species List:
Red-tailed hawk
Red-bellied woodpecker
Blue jay
Black-capped chickadee
Tufted titmouse
White-breasted nuthatch
Gray catbird
Wood thrush
American goldfinch
Song sparrow
Red-winged blackbird
Rusty blackbird
Northern yellow warbler
Northern cardinal