Still snow on the ground from yesterday. Mud on the trails. Chilly, but the sky’e begun to clear. Right away the birds began to announce themselves. Prevailing winds were north-northwesterly, not conducive to easy overnight migration, but there appeared a nice assortment. Also a cottontail.
In a trip to town, a Sharp-shinned Hawk caused the pigeons to skedaddle. Thought I heard another yellow-rump chip, but did not get a look.
Clearer weather on the way, and warmer temps. Anticipation.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 7:30 a.m. (8:30 MDT), I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
As forecast, the morning brought sprinkles. Dog and I high-tailed it up the switchback before the rain became too steady. Nobody up there except us and five bird species. It was a quick hike—not much more than an hour. Didn’t get too wet, got a little muddy.
In afternoon, it snowed a bit, just enough to whiten the roofs and yards. I happened to see the resident pair of Song Sparrows, who didn’t seem at all perturbed by the weather.
In a week it’ll be a sunny 80° (F).
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 7:05 a.m. (8:05 MDT), I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
1. American Robin** 2. House Finch** (v) 3. Spotted Towhee 4. Song Sparrow* (v) 5. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay
Elsewhere
6. California Quail 7. Black-capped Chickadee (v)
Mammals
Red squirrel
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere
Another overcast but fairly mild morning. Slight breeze, temps in the comfortable 50s (F). Quite a few of the resident bird species, but also a newly arriving Turkey Vulture and some Chipping Sparrows vying for territory up in the junipers.
And mammals. More than one Mountain Cottontail, the usual little family of Mule Deer down in the scrub oak thicket. Dog and I got pretty close to three of them—pretty sure they know us by now—and one elder doe posed for a photo. I’ve come to like knowing I’m regularly in the company of deer.
Rain tomorrow, then clearing and warming. Soon butterflies, dragonflies, reptiles, more birds.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 7:22 a.m. (8:22 MDT), I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
1. American Robin* 2. House Finch** 3. Black-capped Chickadee 4. Spotted Towhee 5. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay** 6. Rock Pigeon* 7. Black-billed Magpie 8. Song Sparrow** (v) 9. Broad-tailed Hummingbird (wing-trill) 10. Chipping Sparrow 11. Turkey Vulture 12. Lesser Goldfinch (v)
Elsewhere
13. California Quail 14. European Starling 15. Mallard
Mammals
Red Squirrel Mountain Cottontail Mule Deer
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere
