Screech owls at evening from over the river

September 9. 

I start many pigeons now in a sprout-land. 

I have noticed for a week or more some swarms of light-colored and very small fuzzy gnats in the air, yet not in such concentrated swarms as I shall see by and by.

Now for hazelnuts, — where the squirrels have not got them. 

Within a week I think I have heard screech owls at evening from over the river once or twice.

September 9, 2019

H. D. Thoreau, Journal, September 9, 1859

I have noticed for a week or more some swarms of light-colored and very small fuzzy gnats in the air. See September 3, 1860 ("Though it is warm enough, I notice again the swarms of fuzzy gnats dancing in the cooler air, which also is decidedly autumnal.")

I think I have heard screech owls at evening from over the river once or twice. See  September 23, 1855 ("I hear from my chamber a screech owl about Monroe’s house this bright moonlight night, — a loud, piercing scream, much like the whinny of a colt perchance, a rapid trill, then subdued or smothered a note or two.");  June 25, 1860 ("Hear four or five screech owls on different sides of the river, uttering those peculiar low screwing or working, ventriloquial sounds.")