Under a cloudless sky (with a slight haze of smoke), this cool morning’s hike turned out to be a pretty good one. Encountered waves of finches, spied two warblers on the move, saw eight towhees headed together in southerly direction—essentially enjoyed a little migratory action.
Captain Jack and I also had a nice visit chat with one human and a couple dog friends.
Plus, I heard the distinctively onomatopoetic calls of Chukars from high up the shady slope above us. Having had a little experience with the species, I said to Jack something like, “Wonder if I can them up on the ridge.”
And, sure enough, there they were.
Grandeur Peak Area List At 7:13 a.m. (8:13 MDT), I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
Fun hike today. Cool in the mountain shade, with a cloud-dappled blue sky above. And lots of birds.
Mostly finches (more than 40 in all), but also a couple of calls I didn’t recognize and the first kinglet in a while—meaning migration is in fact underway.
Flitting around with the finches were at least one pair of chippies. One even sat for a photo.
Grandeur Peak Area List At 7:11 a.m. (8:11 MDT), I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
A few clouds this morning, just enough to make for some hazy sun early. Cool, but not as cool as the past few mornings. Still smoky air.
Very quiet along our usual hiking trails: nine species, not many of each. Afterward, doing errands in town, listed another nine species—including a vee of geese, three vultures, swallo, gull, and starling.
However, my best photo came early, thanks to a visit by a chatty scrub-jay.
Grandeur Peak Area List At 7:10 a.m. (8:10 MDT), I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
10. Black-billed Magpie 11. Rock Pigeon 12. Mourning Dove 13. European Starling 14. Canada Goose 15. California Gull 16. Turkey Vulture 17. Barn Swallow 18. California Quail
Mammals
Red Squirrel Rock Squirrel
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere
