Most high desert days seem to be clear days. At least that’s my experience. We’ve had a few stormy ones, and the weekend upcoming is supposed to be rainy—but today was (so far, for me) one of the rare overcast days.
Despite a breeze (apparently) favorable for migration, I saw few birds up the mountainside this morning. But I love an overcast day.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 8:30 a.m., I hiked a few hundred feet up the mountain.
Not a bird, but I had to mention the big ol’ spider dog and I encountered on the mountainside this morning. It’s been decades since I’ve come across a tarantula in the wild—and I’m pretty sure this was Jack’s first sighting. (He was highly interested.)
Elsewise, it was a lovely hike. Bunch of birds (no great photos), great views, cool fall air, and a feeling of, well, just being alive.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 8:45 a.m., I hiked a few hundred feet up the mountain.
1. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay** 2. House Finch* 3. Northern Flicker (v) 4. Black-capped Chickadee (v) 5. Black-billed Magpie* 6. Spotted Towhee 7. American Goldfinch* 8. Dark-eyed Junco 9. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (v) 10. American Robin (v) 11. Red-tailed Hawk
Elsewhere
12. Eurasian Collared Dove 13. Song Sparrow 14. Mourning Dove 15. European Starling 16. Broad-tailed Hummingbird 17. Downy Woodpecker (v)
v = Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere
Couple days ago, I saw my first Utah junco. Being a bird of this longitude, it looked different from the juncos in Northern New England—had pinkish sides. Today I saw another couple of ’em. Cool-looking birds.
Also had another Cooper’s Hawk—and my first Utah thrush. A hermit, I feel sure (considering they have darker spots here than in the east).
Later hike than usual (third in three days), but what a lovely day.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 10:45 a.m., I hiked a few hundred feet up the mountain.
