Overcast, with a forecast of showers. And warm—about 50° (F). I expected showers, but none came. However, I didn’t expect a couple of first-of-year sightings.
Birds were pretty active, though furtive. Dog and I took a trip down into the thicket, following the voices of chickadees. What with yesterday’s unseasonably warm temps (71°, I believe, which tied a record for the date), I expected no deer, but we encountered a half dozen or so down there. As I was angling for a photo, I heard the voice of a Ruby-crowned Kinglet. No photo of the bird, but I did get a glimpse.
Also got a glimpse of a cottontail and—another FOY critter—a Rock Squirrel. Had nearly forgotten about those guys.
I love a nice overcast day.
Grandeur Peak Area List
At 08:48 MST, I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
1. House Finch*
2. American Robin*
3. Pine Siskin
4. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay*
5. Dark-eyed Junco
6. Black-capped Chickadee
7. Ruby-crowned Kinglet†
8. Black-billed Magpie
9. Northern Flicker
10. Spotted Towhee
11. Rock Pigeon
Elsewhere
12. House Sparrow (v)
13. European Starling
14. Lesser Goldfinch (v)
15. Song Sparrow
Mammals
Rock Squirrel†
Mule Deer
Mountain Cottontail
(v) Voice only
* Also Elsewhere
**Voice only Elsewhere
†First-of-year
Tags: American robin, black-billed magpie, black-capped chickadee, dark-eyed junco, European starling, house finch, house sparrow, lesser goldfinch, mountain cottontail, mule deer, northern flicker, pine siskin, rock pigeon, rock squirrel, ruby-crowned kinglet, song sparrow, spotted towhee, Woodhouse’s scrub-jay
