An auspicious hike this morning. And mark down 27 April as the date that spring migration begins here in the Wasatch (this year, at least).

Waves of migrants began to stream through as soon as the sun topped the mountains. Three first-of-year species—including Lazuli Bunting (several), Blue-gray Gnatcatchers (several), and Black-throated Gray Warbler (several).

That last species was a lifer for me. As might’ve been another warbler whose voice I didn’t recognize (but I didn’t get a look at).

We tried a new trail, Jack my dog and I. It was a good one. A good increase in altitude, easy underfoot, under a canopy of high desert woodland. I predict we’ll be spending a lot of time on this particular new trail.

Grandeur Peak Area List
Beginning at 8:00 a.m., I hiked some 1,200 feet up a mountain.

1. Song Sparrow** (v)
2. American Robin*
3. Black-billed Magpie*
4. Sharp-shinned Hawk
5. Spotted Towhee
6. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay
7. House Finch**
8. Black-capped Chickadee**
9. California Quail* (v)
10. Chipping Sparrow
11. Lazuli Bunting†
12. Orange-crowned Warbler
13. Cooper’s Hawk (v)
14. Black-throated Gray Warbler†‡
15. Dark-eyed Junco
16. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v)
17. Pine Siskin (v)
18. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher†
19. Lesser Goldfinch (v)

Elsewhere

20. European Starling (v)
21. House Sparrow (v)

Mammals

Mule Deer

(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
†First-of-year bird
‡Lifer