This morning was smoky—unhealthy air. Smoke from big wildfires in Northern California. But dog and I hit the trailhead fairly early, and I felt a little breeze rising, and—although quiet at first—by the end of it, I had a nice list of bird species.
Including three hummingbird species. What I like to call “the Trifecta”: rufous, broad-tailed, and black-chinned (in that order). The broad-tails were especially active, and especially in little leafy Coyote Canyon. (“Trifecta” might also describe the three Cooper’s Hawks I spied: an adult atop the bluff, and two of the four young ’uns, near the nest).
A good hike, despite the bad air. Then, not long after our return, the smoke really started rolling in—and with it a rich smoky aroma—turning the sun red. And I heard on the radio that Salt Lake City this afternoon had the worst air of any major metropolitan area in the world.
Supposed to stay smoky all weekend, along with advisories to stay indoors, but Captain Jack and I will venture out anyway for a quick stroll.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 7:28 a.m. (8:38 MDT), I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
This morning was kinda cool—not only temperature-wise, but birding-wise. E.g., a random Olive-sided Flycatcher appeared out of nowhere and perched at the top of the tallest Russian Olive (no great photo, alas). And a good-sized flock of Lesser Goldfinches showed up out of the (literal) blue.
But most cool wasd my first-ever look at hummingbird parent dealing with hummingbird youngsters. The gully had broad-tails again, but this time I saw more than one—three, in fact. It wasn’t a close look, and I wasn’t exactly positive what was going on, but it sure looked like a busy adult was dealing (not always patiently) with a pair of fledglings. Twitters were uttered, and tailes were flashed. It was some fun.
(Back at the house, the little quail family remains obsessed with the garden out front. Also a fun distraction.)
No rain today. Now crossing my fingers for the weekend.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 6:57 a.m. (7:57 MDT), I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
A mostly overcast morning, with a slight breeze and a trace of humidity in the air. Birds were active near the trailhead—but up on the deer trails, things were eerily quiet. For example, I counted a flock of a couple dozen magpies below the bluff, but heard only two singing towhees above it.
So I had to pay closer attention to subtle signs. The abrupt chip of a grosbeak. The sharper chip of a bunting (few of which were singing also). The dry chip of a Black-throated Gray Warbler. Heard a singing gnatcatcher. Heard both young and adult Cooper’s Hawks. Subsequently saw all these birds except the hawks.
True, most of the subtle signs were heard. But I did spy a faint movement among the rocks that turned out to be a pair of doves.d
No rain today, but the chances of thundershowers are forecast to increase as the week progresses.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 7:10 a.m. (8:10 MDT), I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
1. House Finch* 2. California Quail (v) 3. Black-capped Chickadee (v) 4. Lazuli Bunting 5. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay 6. Lesser Goldfinch** (v) 7. Mourning Dove 8. American Robin 9. Black-headed Grosbeak 10. Black-billed Magpie* 11. Rock Pigeon* 12. Black-chinned Hummingbird 13. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 14. Cooper’s Hawk (v) 15. Spotted Towhee 16. Black-throated Gray Warbler
Mammals
Rock Squirrel
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere
