Another wet, nippy morning—but only a little light snow falling. Got busy early, so dog and I didn’t head up until later than usual. Just us up there, aside from a bunch of unseen deer and a cottontail and a whole bunch of birds.
Numbers, not species—although I did happen to spy a pair of Canada Geese headed north. Saw at least forty robins and half as many juncos. Watched quietly for a while as chickadees cleaned out a nest cavity for imminent use. A Cooper’s Hawk was near their nest, and the scrub-jays have gone pretty quiet—nesting also, I’d wager.
Quite a few Spotted Towhees, too, as usual. I’ve learned to tell the males from females, the former being quite black on top, and the latter being very dark brown. Eastern Towhees are a breeze by comparison.
Tomorrow’s supposed to be sunny.
Grandeur Peak Area List
Beginning at 8:40 a.m. (9:40d MDT), I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
1. American Robin*
2. Song Sparrow* (v)
3. House Finch*
4. Spotted Towhee
5. Northern Flicker (v)
6. Juniper Titmouse
7. Dark-eyed Junco
8. Black-billed Magpie* (v)
9. Black-capped Chickadee*
10. Canada Goose
11. Cooper’s Hawk
12. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay*
Elsewhere
13. House Sparrow (v)
14. Rock Pigeon
15. Lesser Goldfinch (v)
16. Mourning Dove
17. Cedar Waxwing
18. European Starling
Mammals
Mountain Cottontail
(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: American robin, black-billed magpie, black-capped chickadee, Canada goose, Cedar waxwing, cooper's hawk, dark-eyed junco, European starling, house finch, house sparrow, juiper titmouse, lesser goldfinch, mountain cottontail, mourning dove, northern flicker, rock pigeon, song sparrow, spotted towhee, Woodhouse’s scrub jay
