Mt. Hunger (Ashburnham) 6/21

Last evening would be the first time I hike to an eastern ledge near the top of Mt. Hunger. I'd been told there is a fine north/north east view over Stodge Meadow Pond toward Mt. Watatic and the Wapack Range.
I started the hike from Holt Road, in Ashburnham, where the trail (the Mid-state Trail) runs adjacent to a large distrurbed area (looks like housing development that might be on hold) before traveling through deciduous forest.

The Mid-State Trail, south bound off Holt Road.

The distance to the ledge is approximately a mile and the elevation gain is very modest, about 300 feet...the view is a big payoff for the effort! Stodge Meadow Pond from Mt. Hunger, Mt. Watatic to the left, North Pack and Pack just to the right of Watatic, Timberlost Farm is just to the left of the lake.

I scanned the lake for a while looking for loons and finally a pair swam far enough toward the pond's center for a view. As you can see from the photo above there are two islands that might be able to support a nest, however I don't recall ever hearing of a successful nesting of the species. The two dots in the forground of the pond are Common Loons.
Mountain Laurel is abundant in the area.

A bird list from the trip:
Common Loon ...2
Pileated Woodpecker ...1
Great Crested Flycatcher ...1
Red-eyed Vireo ...1
Blue Jay ...3
American Crow ...4
Black-capped Chickadee ...1
Veery ...2
Hermit Thrush ...4
American Robin ...3
Gray Catbird ...1
Chestnut-sided Warbler ...1
Black-throated Green Warbler... 4
Pine Warbler ...1
Black-and-white Warbler ...3
Ovenbird ...1
Common Yellowthroat ...3
Canada Warbler ...1
Eastern Towhee ...1
Dark-eyed Junco ...5
Scarlet Tanager ...2