It snowed about four times as much as forecast overnight—maybe sixteen inches—and continued snowing lightly throughout the morning. So dog and I didn’t hit the trail until midday. For just the second time this winter, I wore snowshoes.
Just as we were about to head up, I took a couple photos of a little bird in a tree, then said aloud something like, “I have no idea what that is.” Didn’t think much about it, though, until I saw the photos. Not a bird I knew. Searched online without much luck, so I leaned (not for the first time) on my expert bird ID friend Derek Lovich of Freeport Wild Bird Supply, who quickly pronounced it a Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch—a lifer for me.
Not many species today, but scores of siskins and dozens of juncos. And just the one rosy-finch. (Also about 30 mule deer.)
More snow coming Tuesday, or so I hear.
Grandeur Peak Area List
At 11:58 MST, I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
1. Spotted Towhee (v)
2. Pine Siskin
3. Dark-eyed Junco
4. Gray-crowned Rosy-finch‡
5. Black-capped Chickadee (v)
6. Mourning Dove
7. Rock Pigeon
Elsewhere
8. American Robin
9. House Finch
10. Song Sparrow (v)
Mammals
Mule Deer
(v) Voice only
*Also Elsewhere
**Voice only Elsewhere
‡Lifer
Tags: American robin, black-capped chickadee, dark-eyed junco, gray-crowned rosy-finch, house finch, mourning dove, mule deer, pine siskin, rock pigeon, song sparrow, spotted towhee
