Warbler sightings—so common back in Maine—are worthy of celebration here in the high desert. Today I spied a rather common one that nonetheless kind of made my day.
Lazuli Bunting (male).
As has often happened lately, I’d stumbled on a very active patch of greenery—many gnatcatchers, a couple of grosbeaks, curious buntings, at least one hummingbird. Although we were in the shade of the mountain, dog and I, the flash of color caught my eye: a Yellow Warbler.
It was the first Yellow Warbler I’d seen since last year sometime (and only the third or fourth I’ve seen in Utah). Posed for a photo, too.
Yesterday it was a Virginia’s Warbler. A couple days before that, a quiet black-throated gray. Fact is, I see more Lazuli Buntings on any given hike than warbler species—by far.
(Fact is, that rarity enhances the thrill.)
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 8 a.m., I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
Among the birds I find up on the high trails are quite a few city birds—that is, birds that are more abundant down in the basin, where the people are. Not a few of these are non-native species (e.g., European Starlings, Eurasian Collared Doves), although even some native birds prefer the neighborhoods at certain times of year.
House Sparrow.
This morning, dog and I encountered two common city varieties—Rock Pigeons and House Sparrows. Pigeon flocks aren’t an uncommon sight in summer above the trailhead, but I’ve seen few House Sparrows up there. Well, today, three ventured a couple hundred feet up to where we were enjoying the view.
So here’s to our city birds, near neighbors, survivors.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 8 a.m., I hiked a few hundred 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
