A lovely, overcast morning. Inversion in the valley, with a clear layer of particulates hovering low over the city—but sweet air up the mountainside.
Saw a few deer, quite a few bird species. Had more conversations with fellow hikers, new friends. Burned some calories. No elk today, but a few mule deer. Tracks of mouse and hare.
But my focus today was on magpies—those smart, spiffy corvids with a wide range of vocalizations.
I love an overcast day.
Grandeur Peak Area List
Beginning at 10:15 a.m., I hiked a few hundred feet up the mountain.
1. Black-billed Magpie**
2. Black-capped Chickadee
3. House Finch**
4. American Robin
5. Northern Flicker** (v)
6. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay
7. Song Sparrow* (v)
8. Dark-eyed Junco
Elsewhere
8. Eurasian Collared Dove (v)
9. Lesser Goldfinch (v)
10. European Starling
(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: American robin, black-billed magpie, black-capped chickadee, dark-eyed junco, Eurasian collared dove, European starling, house finch, lesser goldfinch, northern flicker, song sparrow, Woodhouse’s scrub jay
