On something of a lark, I hiked with dog up the long switchback to the Pipeline Overlook, then up and over the ridge, and down Coyote Canyon. The sky was fair, the trail excellent on the way up, and not too muddy on our return.
Birds included calling Chukars, a pair of ravens circling us, and—just as we were finishing our three-hour journey, a first-of-year Turkey Vulture.
Spring does, in fact, seem to be in the air.
Grandeur Peak Area List
Beginning at 7:40 a.m. (8:40 MDT), I hiked about 1,200 feet up a mountain.
1. Black-capped Chickadee*
2. Lesser Goldfinch* (v)
3. Dark-eyed Junco
4. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay
5. Northern Flicker (v)
6. Spotted Towhee
7. American Robin*
8. Rock Pigeon*
9. House Finch**
10. Juniper Titmouse
11. Chukar (v)
12. Common Raven
13. Turkey Vulture†
Elsewhere
14. Black-billed Magpie
15. Eurasian Collared-dove (v)
16. Song Sparrow (v)
Mammals
Mule Deer
(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
†First-of-year
Tags: American robin, black-billed magpie, black-capped chickadee, chukar, common raven, dark-eyed junco, Eurasian collared dove, house finch, juniper titmouse, lesser goldfinch, mule deer, northern flicker, rock pigeon, song sparrow, spotted towhee, turkey vulture, Woodhouse’s scrub jay
