From their sudden abundance, I’d assumed all the Lazuli Buntings that were going to arrive had arrived already. But this chilly, breezy, slightly drizzly morning brought a whole new batch to the patch. Fifteen individuals in all.
And plenty of other birds were active and abundant. Heard at least two Black-headed Grosbeaks (and saw two for sure, both singers, eyeing each other at a good distance). A pair of hummingbird species, ever-present towhees, gnatcatchers, and the rest. No mammals and few insects, but I’m sure the unsettled weather had something to do with that.
It’s been a late migration compared to last spring’s—I hear this from other areas of the continent, as well. Which, happily, means more to come.
Grandeur Peak Area List
Beginning at 7:39 a.m. (8:39 MDT), I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
1. Lazuli Bunting
2. Spotted Towhee
3. American Robin*
4. House Finch*
5. Rock Pigeon
6. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay
7. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
8. Black-capped Chickadee
9. Chipping Sparrow
10. Black-headed Grosbeak (v)
11. Broad-tailed Hummingbird (wing-trill)
12. Black-billed Magpie*
13. Orange-crowned Warbler
14. Cooper’s Hawk
15. Virginia’s Warbler (v)
16. Black-chinned Hummingbird
17. Song Sparrow** (v)
18. California Quail
Elsewhere
19. Eurasian Collared Dove
20. House Sparrow
(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: American robin, blac-billed magpie, black-capped chickadee, black-chinned hummingbird, black-headed grosbeak, blue-gray gnatcatcher, broad-tailed hummingbird, California quail, chipping sparrow, cooper's hawk, Eurasian collared dove, house finch, house sparrow, lazuli bunting, Orange-crowned Warbler, rock pigeon, song sparrow, spotted towhee, Virginia’s warbler, Woodhouse’s scrub jay
