Enjoyed yet another hike with dog this morning—albeit the most muggy one I can recall. Last evening’s rain had soaked in and/or dried up overnight, but the atmosphere held traces of the rare, welcome wetness. Didn’t at all mind the sweat it drew from my pores.
Not a lot of bird action—mostly because fewer birds are vocalizing. Yep, it’s that time of year: having left the nest, youngsters must be fed and kept track of; hawks (and dogs and humans) are about; the territorial imperative is less important than simply finding food and surviving. No need to make a lot of noise.
I heard only three singing towhees, and maybe four singing buntings. (Compare that to spring!) Counted only six of each species. Before long, both will have abandoned their songs entirely, resorting only to subtle chips and chatters.
Still, the singers will be back next April and May.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 6:55 a.m. (7:55 MDT), I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
When Jack and I hit the trail this morning, I saw faint curtains streaming from the clouds in the sky and thought, rain. And maybe a little rain did fall out there in the basin under those faint curtains, but none fell on me and my dog.
We had a good hike, though—17 species, most in a while. Got a glimpse of a tanager and three Black-throated Gray Warblers and another coop. Back home in hot, sunny afternoon, a monarch in the garden.
My first rainless experience. Kinda makes you think and wish and hope.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 6:55 a.m. (7:55 MDT), I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
Interesting hike with dog this morning. Got to the trailhead at the usual time, and there was a breeze, and the sky was mostly overcast, and the air was a lot warmer than yesterday—nearly 80° (F), I’d say. A few birds about, the usual suspects.
Headed out, we surprised a huge flock of pigeons—maybe 240 or so?—which amused me in their synchronized circling.
Returning via the deer trail, I followed a scattering of chip notes to discover three species hopping about in a smallish juniper: Lazuli Bunting (a female), Black-throated Gray Warbler (two juvies and an adult), and Warbling Vireo. That was fun.
Then, on our return, a few raindrops fell. Literally a few. (Well, OK, maybe a few dozen.)
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 6:32 a.m. (7:32 MDT), I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
1. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay 2. Lazuli Bunting 3. Black-capped Chickadee 4. Black-billed Magpie* (v) 5. American Robin* (v) 6. Mourning Dove 6. Spotted Towhee 7. Black-chinned Hummingbird* 9. House Finch** 10. Rock Pigeon* 11. Black-throated Gray Warbler 12. Warbling Vireo 13. Lesser Goldfinch** (v) 14. Song Sparrow (v)
Elsewhere
15. Eurasian Collared-dove 16. California Quail (v)
Mammals
Rock Squirrel
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere
