A morning much like yesterday’s, but dog and I got to the trail earlier. It didn’t mean more species, but it mixed ’em up a bit.
Most interesting was a pair of Rock Wrens in the little old lime quarry (I assume that’s what it was) overlooking the neighborhood—same place I saw my first several weeks ago. My hope is they’ll nest there so I can hear their songs.
Elsewhere, the usual nesters and singers—less any raptors or more than one warbler. Still and all, a very good day.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 7:45 a.m., I hiked several hundred feet up a mountain.
1. Broad-tailed Hummingbird 2. Black-billed Magpie* 3. American Robin* 4. Lazuli Bunting 5. Spotted Towhee 6. Mourning Dove 7. Black-capped Chickadee 8. Pine Siskin (v) 9. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay 10. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 11. Rock Wren 12. Black-headed Grosbeak 13. Chipping Sparrow 14. Black-chinned Hummingbird 15. Orange-crowned Warbler (v) 16. California Quail* 17. House Finch* 18. Lesser Goldfinch** (v)
Elsewhere
19. Song Sparrow 20. Eurasian Collared Dove 21. European Starling
Mammals
None
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere
We got up to the trail a bit later this morning, Captain Jack and I—9 a.m., to be exact. The sun had topped the mountains, and the variety of birds was a bit different.
The oddest thing: no corvids on my list. Can’t remember the last time that happened (if ever). Also only one warbler. After failing to track down two grosbeaks yesterday, one just kind of dropped in my lap this morning.
Lovely day. Warm and dry. Early breeze giving way to a summery calm. No mountain lions, though.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 9 a.m., I hiked about 1,200 feet up a mountain.
Usually I stick to birds around here, but this breezy, blue-sky morning I saw my first mountain lion.
I heard it first—a high, slurred whistle that didn’t sound like any bird I knew—then scanned the sunny slope across the valley and spotted the big cat. It was clearly a youngster, was just wandering around sniffing things. And in broad daylight, no less. Still an exciting moment.
Elsewhere, quite a few bird species on my list—including two lifers for me (White-throated Swift and Willow Flycacher).
Just another memorable spring day.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 7:45 a.m., I hiked about 1,200 feet up a mountain.
