
The forecast called for a chance of thundershowers this morning, but no such luck. Instead, dog and I had a lucky overcast and cool, room temperatures. And a good hike. Along with a nice assortment of bird species.
Most unusual was a random Warbling Vireo moving through the trees just above the neighborhood. Most thrilling was a raven lying low over the bench. (Hadn’t seen a raven in quite a while.) And most photogenic was a grosbeak singing in a treetop near the old Monarch Quarry.
We’re supposed to get a rather mild weekend, too—before summertime returns with a vengeance next week.
No matter, we shall hike regardless, Jack and I.
Grandeur Peak Area List
Beginning at 7:05 a.m. (8:05 MDT), I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
1. Lazuli Bunting
2. American Robin*
3. Rock Pigeon
4. Spotted Towhee
5. Warbling Vireo
6. Black-chinned Hummingbird
7. House Finch**
8. Lesser Goldfinch
9. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
10. Black-capped Chickadee
11. Common Raven
12. Black-billed Magpie* (v)
13. Black-headed Grosbeak
14. Orange-crowned Warbler (v)
15. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay
Elsewhere
16. Song Sparrow (v)
17. Eurasian Collared-dove
18. California Quail
Mammals
Rock Squirrel
(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: American robin, black-billed magpie, black-capped chickadee, black-chinned hummingbird, black-headed grosbeak, blue-gray gnatcatcher, California quail, common raven, Eurasian collared dove, house finch, lazuli bunting, lesser goldfinch, Orange-crowned Warbler, rock pigeon, rock squirrel, song sparrow, spotted towhee, warbling vireo, Woodhouse’s scrub jay