Another dry, breezy morning without a lot or singing birds. The residents have nests, seems sure, and a few species are still moving through.
For instance, the first-of-year Western Kingbird we happened upon, dog and I. Heard it first, didn’t recognize its voice—I haven’t encountered more than a handful, and only one or two in spring—then managed a photo from a distance. Six vultures circled through also. The rest (of only fourteen spp. total) were locals.
In other news, for the second straight day I watched a pair of gnatcatchers chase a scrub-jay from its perch in the big Russian olive tree.
Grandeur Peak Area List
Beginning at 7:09 a.m. (8:09 MDT), I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
1. Lazuli Bunting
2. Spotted Towhee
3. Black-chinned Hummingbird
4. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay**
5. House Finch**
6. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
7. Rock Pigeon*
8. Western Kingbird†
9. Turkey Vulture
10. Chipping Sparrow (v)
11. Warbling Vireo
12. Black-capped Chickadee**
13. Cooper’s Hawk
14. Song Sparrow** (v)
Elsewhere
15. American Robin
16. Black-billed Magpie
17. European Starling
18. Mourning Dove
19. House Sparrow**
Mammals
Rock Squirrel
(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
†First-of-year bird
Tags: American robin, blac-billed magpie, black-capped chickadee, black-chinned hummingbird, blue-gray gnatcatcher, chipping sparrow, cooper's hawk, European starling, house inch, house sparrow, lazuli bunting, mourning dove, rock pigeon, rock squirrel, song sparrow, spotted towhee, turkey vulture, warbling vireo, western kingbird, Woodhouse’s scrub jay
