I’d lived here in Utah about a year before I saw my first (ever) Cassin’s Finch. In the past few months, I’ve seen a bunch of ’em.
From what I understand, they tend to wander around in flocks, depending on food, weather, and/or reasons known only to themselves. They’ve been hanging around a lot lately, though, and I’m glad. I like the way they look—all clean-cut and stylish looks. I also like their habit of letting me approach nearer than other finches do. Makes for some nice photos.
I also like Lesser Goldfinches, Pine Siskins, American Goldfinches, and House Finches (in their original native habitat, unlike those back in Maine). But I’ve kind of got a crush on Cassin’s.
(Saw a dozen today.)
Grandeur Peak Area List
Beginning at 9:09 a.m. (MST), I hiked several hundred feet up a mountain.
1. House Finch*
2. Red-breasted Nuthatch (v)
3. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay
4. Rock Pigeon*
5. Black-billed Magpie* (v)
6. Spotted Towhee*
7. Black-capped Chickadee
8. Golden Eagle
9. Dark-eyed Junco
10. Cassin’s Finch
Elsewhere
11. European Starling
Mammals
Mountain Cottontail
Red Squirrel
(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: black-billed magpie, black-capped chickadee, Cassin’s finch, dark-eyed junco, European starling, golden eagle, house finch, mountain cottontail, red squirrel, red-breasted nuthatch, rock pigeon, spotted towhe, Woodhouse’s scrub jay
