I’d never seen a Black-headed Grosbeak until I’d moved to Utah. Saw a single quiet grosbeak in the shady switchback late last summer or in early fall, just for a moment. Impressive-looking bird that I knew nothing about.
Now, in deep spring, I feel like I know them fairly intimately. Not least because of the grosbeak nest I spotted about fifty paces from the trailhead where dog and I begin our daily hikes. From my observations, I’ve learned that both males and females will occupy the nest—and that this particular male often sings while sitting there in the leafy shade.
I’ve learned also that grosbeaks sing a lot—both sexes. (However, I haven’t yet seen any territorial skirmishes of the sort I’ve read about.) I know their song, of course—and their loud, staccato chip-note, which is similar to a Rose-breasted Grosbeak’s, but less squeaky.
Knowledge through observation: the most satisfying part of being a birder.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 7:45 a.m., I hiked about 1,200 feet up a mountain.
A lovely hike this morning. Dog and I did what I call the Millcreek Ridge Circuit—up the switchback to the Pipeline Trail lookout, then climb the ridge west a while, then take the shady valley back down to the lower trail.
New (to me) flowers blooming every day, it seems (some with lovely fresh smells I’ve never smelled). First time I’ve seen all the shades of spring green—plus, of course, the bright June colors of western birds.
(Note: I believe the gnatcatchers have fledged.)
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 7:45 a.m., I hiked about 1,200 feet up a mountain.
1. Black-billed Magpie* 2. Black-headed Grosbeak 3. Black-chinned Hummingbird 4. Lazuli Bunting 5. House Finch* 6. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay 7. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 8. Spotted Towhee 9. Rock Pigeon 10. American Robin* 11. Song Sparrow** (v) 12. Pine Siskin (v) 13. Chipping Sparrow (v) 14. Warbling Vireo (v) 15. Chukar 16. Orange-crowned Warbler (v) 17. Western Tanager (v) 18. California Quail*
Elsewhere
19. House Sparrow (v) 20. European Starling 21. Mourning Dove 22. Black-capped Chickadee (v)
Mammals
None
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere
For the past two or three weeks, in one particular stretch of trail dog and I hike daily, I’ve heard and/or seen at least one Warbling Vireo. I’ve really begun to like these birds a lot.
Back in Maine, before I moved out west, I encountered only a few Warbling Vireos. Not that they’re uncommon—but they clearly like the landscape hereabouts. They seem to like to hang out in bigtooth maples. And usually I hear a pair of them (today there were three) singing their warbly, un-vireo-like tune to each other, declaring their territory.
That tune has grown on me. It’s a fairly rapid warble, a bit House Finch–like but not very long, typically ending on a rising note. It’s subtle, though. As is the bird itself. Stays deep in the leaves. Doesn’t flit about too much, so they’re easy to miss.
This morning it took me ten or fifteen minutes of waiting quietly in one place to get a photo.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 7:30 a.m., I hiked several hundred feet up a mountain.
