Warm, warm morning. Upper-70s (F) when dog and I hit the trailhead. But there were a few clouds about, and Coyote Canyon was cool, and we were early enough that things were comfortable enough. And there were a few birds about, as well.
Most notably, when we dipped down into the little canyon to visit the Broad-winged Hummingbird families (as has been our habit lately), I noticed several of the tiny birds hovering near—even perching in—a leafy tree across from us. As I watched them, wondering, I spotted the source of their interest: an immature Cooper’s Hawk.
These little hummingbirds, barely larger than the beak of the hawk, were fearless. One of them hovered only a yard or two above the hawk’s perch, and the others stayed very nearby. And when the hawk decided to take flight, they all pursued it.
I’m finding myself fascinated by the Coyote Canyon hummingbirds.
Grandeur Peak Area List
Beginning at 7:59 a.m., I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
1. House Finch*
2. Black-chinned Hummingbird
3. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay
4. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
5. Spotted Towhee
6. Black-capped Chickadee
7. Lazuli Bunting
8. Rock Pigeon
9. Mourning Dove
10. Broad-tailed Hummingbird
11. Cooper’s Hawk
12. Cedar Waxwing
13. American Robin
Elsewhere
14. Black-billed Magpie
15. Barn Swallow
16. California Quail
17. Red-tailed Hawk
Mammals
Mountain Cottontail
Rock Squirrel
(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
