9 February 2025

Archive for December, 2021

Winter Hike

Tuesday, December 28th, 2021
Pine Siskins and Lesser Goldfinches, East Millcreek, Salt Lake City, Utah, 28 December 2021.
Pine Siskins and Lesser Goldfinches.
Pine Siskin (stretching), East Millcreek, Salt Lake City, Utah, 28 December 2021.
Pine Siskin (stretching).

Colder than on recent morns—about 20° (F)—and overcast, but calm. Several species around the trailhead, but only chickadees up on the deer trails. Well, and some deer.

Also couple of cottontails in the old Monarch Quarry.

A fun winter hike for dog and me.

Grandeur Peak Area List
At 9:24 MST, I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.

1. Pine Siskin
2. Lesser Goldfinch
3. Black-capped Chickadee
4. Red-tailed Hawk
5. Song Sparrow (v)
6. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay (v)
7. Rock Pigeon
8. Dark-eyed Junco

Mammals

Mountain Cottontail
Mule Deer

(v) Voice only

Ravens Again

Monday, December 27th, 2021
Common Raven, East Millcreek, Salt Lake City, Utah, 27 December 2021.
Common Raven.

Another chilly, breezy day—in fact, a lot breezier than yesterday. A little new snow, not much. Aside from a couple hikers (and dogs) at the trailhead, Captain Jack and I were pretty much alone up there.

Alone except for very few bird species, quite a few deer, and—again—five ravens. I heard a croak, looked up, and quickly counted five. Same five as yesterday? Dunno, but only one kept in sight enough for me to grab a (not great) photo.

Had a snow squall this evening. Supposed to get cold tonight. We shall see.

Grandeur Peak Area List
At 9:16 MST, I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.

1. House Finch** (v)
2. Dark-eyed Junco
3. Black-capped Chickadee (v)
4. Rock Pigeon
5. Common Raven
6. Black-billed Magpie** (v )

Mammals

Mule Deer

(v) Voice only
**Voice only elsewhere

Snow, Wind

Sunday, December 26th, 2021
Ravens in the wind, East Millcreek, Salt Lake City, Utah, 26 December 2021.
Ravens in the wind.

The wind overnight was high, as it was this morning. Then it began to snow. I nearly decided Captain Jack and I could use a no-hike off for the first time in a good while. But then the snow stopped, and the wind slowed. So we took a late-morning hike—and it was a nice one. We even had a nice little visit on the trail with human and dog friends.

Few birds, though, as the wind rose a bit. But then, up on the deer trails, I spied a group of big birds soaring overhead wind. Antic birds, playing, goofing off, flying upside-down. Of course it was a family of ravens.

More snow and wind (and cold) to come, or so they say.

Grandeur Peak Area List
At 9:16 MST, I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.

1. Song Sparrow
2. House Finch
3. Black-capped Chickadee (v)
4. Dark-eyed Junco (v)
5. Common Raven

Mammals

Mule Deer

(v) Voice only

 
Bird Report is a (sometimes intermittent) record of the birds I encounter while hiking, see while driving, or spy outside my window. —Brian Willson



3IP Logo
©1997–2025 by 3IP