Not a lot of snow overnight, and only a few inches this first morning of 2020 before a lull occurred. So dog and I headed up the mountain.
Didn’t expect many birds, and heard only a couple on our way up the switchback—and then an eagle flew low over our heads. Good start.
Soon I spotted deer. Lots of ’em. And soon after that, we encountered some juncos and House Finches. And then more deer. In fact, about this time a few humans and dogs moseyed up behind us, and one of the dogs spotted a deer just across the little valley and took off. Long story short: about two dozen mule deer began to move up the mountainside in a hurry.
No elk yet, but I’ve heard reports. Soon.
Grandeur Peak Area List
Beginning at 10 a.m., I hiked a few hundred feet up the mountain.
1. Black-capped Chickadee (v)
2. Black-billed Magpie
3. Golden Eagle
4. Northern Flicker**
5. Dark-eyed Junco
6. House Finch
7. American Robin
Elsewhere
8. Lesser Goldfinch (v)
v = Voice only
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: American robin, black-billed magpie, black-capped chickadee, dark-eyed junco, golden eagle, house finch, lesser goldfinch, northern flicker
