I’d seen a few Blue-gray Gnatcatchers before moving to Utah—all during migration at Monhegan, I believe— but these feisty, entertaining little birds are common nesters where dog and I hike every morning. By now, I feel kinda like we’re pals.
This morning was mostly (mercifully) overcast and so not as unseasonably warm as in recent days. The gnatcatchers were as usual vocal and active, flitting from twig to twig, dive-bombing scrub-jays, warning Jack and me away from their nest deep in a scrub oak patch near the bluff. Their calls when we pass near are bright and varied and urgent. They flash the white feathers of their tails.
Last year we passed an active gnatcatcher nest every day where the trail passes through a shady tunnel of greenery. Over winter, the nest disintegrated—but I still look fondly at the little scrub oak crook where it sat and think of the tiny bird nestled there, warming the eggs and protecting the hatchlings.
I guess I kind of have a thing for gnatcatchers.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 6:55 a.m. (7:55 MDT), I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
This series of hot spring days continues. Soon they’ll be hot summer days. In fact, it’s seemed a lot like summer this past week or so. Dog and I started up the trail early enough to beat the heat, had an interesting hike—and later enjoyed the afternoon at home.
One bit of drama in the side yard: Robins from multiple nearby nests ganged up noisily on a magpie that apparently had snagged a nestling. The magpie hid in some ground cover on the shady side of the neighbor’s house as at least eight or ten robins charged and hollered and fluttered around in a panic. Only got a glimpse of the magpie. It had some down in its bill (Young magpie gotta eat, too, I guess.)
A solo Turkey Vulture flapping up the basin rather typified this “summer” day.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 7:02 a.m. (8:02 MDT), I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
A few days ago, in the front yard, I noticed what appeared to be a couple of fledgling House Sparrows following their parents around. Those were likely the first fledglings of the year noticed by me. Today brought two more.
First, up on the deer trails, I noticed a very young towhee fluttering around in the undergrowth. Later, back home, I spied a couple of fledgling magpies following their parent around.
Although i’s not real easy to do, I like trying to keep track of the new birds o the season.
[A note on the hot, dry weather: I heard a radio forecast today that essentially predicted temps up in the 90s (F) pretty much every day from here through the month of August. Yesterday we tied the all-time record high of 107° (F). Not gonna let up for a good while, apparently.]
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 7:02 a.m. (8:02 MDT), I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
