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.
An overcast morning with ominous skies struck me as inviting. And, as often is the case, I found a bird I wasn’t looking for.
That bird was a first-of-year Western Tanager (and my first sighting of a male of the species)—when I happened to be trying to track down a Black-headed Grosbeak with a somewhat odd voice. Which, in retrospect, makes me think the grosbeak was really a tanager.
Later in my hike with dog, I heard two birds warbling at each other from the edge of the juniper barren. Certainly not finches, but what? They were keeping out of sight, singing nearly identical, territorial battle-songs. Finally I caught a glimpse of one through binoculars—some kind of vireo?
“Nah, couldn’t be,” I thought. But hours later I realized one vireo would fit: they were Warbling Vireos. (It’s been a couple decades since I last heard one in Maine—I’d forgotten their song.)
Saw no one on the trail. Only rained a few drops. Our hike went exactly as it was supposed to go.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 7:45 a.m., I hiked several hundred feet up a mountain.
Fun hike. Breezy, 50s (F). Got to the trailhead early—early enough to surprise a Mountain Cottontail in the shadow of the mountain.
Lots of singing Lazuli Buntings still. Lots. Multiple hummingbird sightings. Decided to make a circuit up the valley to the ridge above the Millcreek trails, back down the switchback. The result? Twenty-three species—and a very fun time.
Noteworthy: two singing Black-headed Grosbeaks (first-of-year birds).
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 7:45 a.m., I hiked 1,200-plus feet up a mountain.
