Dog and I did the Millcreek circuit today—up the valley, over the ridge, down the switchback—an elevation gain of about 1,500 feet or so. The day was mild, a bit breezy, comfortable. The landscape was green.
And I’m kinda crushin’ on Black-chinned Hummingbirds.
So many today (I’m thinking at least eight), and in all the places I know they’ll be. I have a feeling that by now they even recognize Jack and me.
And I’m learning their behavioral quirks. In particular, I’m diggin’ their great pendulous flight displays—it’s as if they’re writing a gigantic U above the landscape. I’m also learning what flowers they like to sip.
Not seeing as many Broad-tailed Hummingbirds these days. (Guessing they’re earlier nesters and so have gone rather quiet.) But that’s O.K. by me.
Grandeur Peak Area List
Beginning at 7:45 a.m., I hiked some 1,500 feet up a mountain.
1. Black-billed Magpie*
2. American Robin*
3. Black-headed Grosbeak (v)
4. Lazuli Bunting
5. Black-chinned Hummingbird
6. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
7. Spotted Towhee
8. House Finch*
9. Black-capped Chickadee (v)
10. Lesser Goldfinch** (v)
11. Mourning Dove
12. Orange-crowned Warbler (v)
14. Black-throated Gray Warbler (v)
15. Warbling Vireo
16. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay (v)
17. Chukar (v)
18. Western Tanager
19. Turkey Vulture
20. California Quail*
21. Barn Swallow†
22. Red-tailed Hawk
Elsewhere
23. House Sparrow (v)
24. Downy Woodpecker
25. Song Sparrow (v)
26. Broad-tailed Hummingbird (wing-trill)
Mammals
None
(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
†First-of-year bird
Tags: American robin, barn swallow, blac-capped chickadee, black-billed magpie, black-chinned hummingbird, black-headed grosbeak, black-throated gray warbler, blue-gray gnatcatcher, broad-tailed hummingbird, California quail, chukar, downy woodpecker, house finch, house sparrow, lazuli bunting, lesser goldfinch, mourning dove, Orange-crowned Warbler, red-tailed hawk, song sparrow, spotted towhee, turkey vulture, warbling vireo, western tanager, Woodhouse’s scrub jay
