After yesterday’s big ol’ blue-sky climb, dog and I enjoyed this morning’s hazy, cooler, shorter hike. Birds included a couple kinglets (that I couldn’t track down), the voice of a Cooper’s Hawk (which I couldn’t lay eyes on), and a pair of low-flying, newly arriving vultures.
Noteworthy: nesting activity. The hawks are back in the vicinity of their nest; watched a pair of chickadees cleaning out a cavity; back at home, robins are collecting big beakfuls of straw.
Grass is green, little green leaves are coming out, butterflies are flitting around. Supposed to be chilly for a few days yet—but spring don’t care.
Grandeur Peak Area List
At 7:58 a.m., sun time, I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
1. American Robin*
2. House Finch* (v)
3. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay
4. Rock Pigeon*
5. Spotted Towhee**
6. Northern Flicker*
7. Pine Siskin (v)
8. Black-capped Chickadee
9. Ruby-crowned Kinglet (v)
10. Cooper’s Hawk (v)
11. Turkey Vulture
12. Lesser Goldfinch*
Elsewhere
13. House Sparrow (v)
14. California Quail (v)
15. Black-billed Magpie (v)
Mammals
Mule Deer
(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: American robin, black-billed magpie, black-capped chickadee, California quail, cooper's hawk, house finch, house sparrow, lesser goldfinch, mule deer, northern flicker, pine siskin, rock pigeon, ruby-crowned kinglet, spotted towhee, turkey vulture, Woodhouse’s scrub jay
