A lovely hike this morning. Dog and I did what I call the Millcreek Ridge Circuit—up the switchback to the Pipeline Trail lookout, then climb the ridge west a while, then take the shady valley back down to the lower trail.
New (to me) flowers blooming every day, it seems (some with lovely fresh smells I’ve never smelled). First time I’ve seen all the shades of spring green—plus, of course, the bright June colors of western birds.
(Note: I believe the gnatcatchers have fledged.)
Grandeur Peak Area List
Beginning at 7:45 a.m., I hiked about 1,200 feet up a mountain.
1. Black-billed Magpie*
2. Black-headed Grosbeak
3. Black-chinned Hummingbird
4. Lazuli Bunting
5. House Finch*
6. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay
7. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
8. Spotted Towhee
9. Rock Pigeon
10. American Robin*
11. Song Sparrow** (v)
12. Pine Siskin (v)
13. Chipping Sparrow (v)
14. Warbling Vireo (v)
15. Chukar
16. Orange-crowned Warbler (v)
17. Western Tanager (v)
18. California Quail*
Elsewhere
19. House Sparrow (v)
20. European Starling
21. Mourning Dove
22. Black-capped Chickadee (v)
Mammals
None
(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: American robin, blac-capped chickadee, black-billed magpie, black-chinned hummingbird, black-headed grosbeak, blue-gray gnatcatcher, California quail, chipping sparrow, chukar, European starling, house finch, house sparrow, lazuli bunting, Orange-crowned Warbler, ourning dove, pine siskin, rock pigeon, song sparrow, spotted towhee, warbling vireo, western tanager, Woodhouse’s scrub jay
