What an unexpectedly action-packed hike this morning—bird action, that is. All started quietly (breezy, cool, mountain-shady), but as soon as we topped the switchback, dog and I, we found ourselves surrounded. By birds, that is.
A flock of a dozen towhees. Finches and robins and juncos and a flicker and a singing White-crowned Sparrow (immature), all within view at once. A Red-tailed Hawk on the utility pole I check every morning in case there’s a red-tail perching there. (Been at least a couple months.) Another Steller’s Jay up in the junipers.
Speaking of junipers, though, the little bird that stands out most is the chattery, nondescript Juniper Titmouse we happened upon. It’s only been a couple weeks or so since I saw my first of this species, but after a sighting or two nearly every day since, I now know what to look and listen for.
And today, one flitted up right in front of me and posed.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 8:34 a.m., I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 8:59 a.m., I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
As forecast, it rained this early morning. Not a lot, but enough to make things good and damp for a while. And up in the peaks—snow.
Lovely skies, but quiet birding. Still, what I did see and hear gave me pleasure. And a couple of halfway decent photos. Most fun were a bunch of juncos, another Mountain Chickadee, a couple yellow-rumps, and three White-crowned Sparrows (an adult and two juvies).
All will be dry again in the morning, but it seems a coldish snap has taken hold. Looking forward to tomorrow.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 8:59 a.m., I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
1. Black-billed Magpie 2. House Sparrow (v) 3. House Finch* 4. Mountain Chickadee (v) 5. Yellow-rumped Warbler 6. Pine Siskin 7. American Robin** 8. Dark-eyed Junco 9. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay 10. Spotted Towhee 11. Black-capped Chickadee (v) 12. Northern Flicker 13. Downy Woodpecker (v) 14. Mourning Dove 15. White-crowned Sparrow
Elsewhere
16. Lesser Goldfinch 17. Rock Pigeon 18. Eurasian Collared Dove
Mammals
Red Squirrel (v)
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere
Yet another quiet morning—though not quite as quiet as yesterday. Had three young White-crowned Sparrows appear, and a few juncos and a bunch of towhees, a couple yellow-rumps—and a soaring red-tail at the end.
Frankly, I could dig it if all my quiet hikes were this fruitful.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 8:32 a.m., I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
