We got an early start this day, dog and I. No unusual birds at the outset (although we both spied a cottontail), then when we got to little Coyote Canyon, I made a split decision to hike the ridge, and we headed up the switchback to the Pipeline Overlook.
A clear morning, cool in the shade, warm in the sun. From about 800 feet up, I happened to look down and see a coyote casually trotting along a trail we’d hiked about 45 minutes before. New flowers along the trail, little patches of remnant show.
Toward the end, I happened to spot a Sharp-shinned Hawk circling above us—a migrant perhaps. A good day, with exciting times to come.
Grandeur Peak Area List
Beginning at 7:16 a.m. (8:16 MDT), I hiked about 1,200 feet up a mountain.
1. American Robin*
2. House Finch**
3. European Starling*
4. Spotted Towhee
5. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay (v)
6. Rock Pigeon*
7. Mountain Chickadee
8. Northern Flicker (v)
9. Black-capped Chickadee
10. Juniper Titmouse (v)
11. Chukar (v)
12. Black-billed Magpie** (v)
13. Dark-eyed Junco
14. Sharp-shinned Hawk
Elsewhere
13. House Sparrow (v)
14. Lesser Goldfinch (v)
15. Song Sparrow (v)
16. American Crow
Mammals
Mountain Cottontail
Mountain Coyote
(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: American crow, American robin, black-billed magpie, black-capped chickadee, chukar, dark-eyed junco, European starling, house finch, house sparrow, juniper titmouse, lesser goldfinch, mountain chickadee, mountain cottontail, mountain coyote, northern flicker, rock pigeon, sharp-shinned hawk, song sparrow, spotted towhee, Woodhouse’s scrub jay
