Hawks are not uncommon around here, rather they’re intermittent. I might se one a day for two or three days, then none for a week. Then I might have a day with three.
Today I had one of those.
Mostly overcast, a storm brewing, a gusty breeze, a dramatic sky, and hardly any obvious birds during my entire hike with dog: eleven species, but only a couple dozen individuals. Two of the individuals were raptors.
The first was an adult Bald Eagle I spied way, way way up above the ridge, riding the breeze. The other was a Red-tailed Hawk, nose to tdhe wind, hovering occasionally. [Aside: I don’t believe I’d ever a redtail hover before.]
Later, from my deck, I spied another hawk—another redtail. Watched it soar and circle—then suddenly veer over and down to perch on utility pole.
I wonder how much snow we’ll get this time around.
Grandeur Peak Area List
Beginning at 8:48 a.m. (MST), I hiked several hundred feet up a mountain.
1. Black-capped Chickadee (v)
2. Black-billed Magpie**
3. Dark-eyed Junco
4. Rock Pigeon
5. American Robin* (v)
6. Bald Eagle
7. Spotted Towhee
8. Downy Woodpecker
9. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay
10. Red-tailed Hawk*
11. Pine Siskin (v)
Elsewhere
12. European Starling
(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
