On this bright, nippy morning’s hike with dog, I happened upon quite a few bird species. But I want to single out just one: Mourning Dove.
Late in our hike, we came around a shady curve and into a section of sun—when I saw a flutter and heard whistling wings. I just had a glimpse, but I knew what it was. Except I hadn’t seen where it’d flown. Took a few more steps, and again the dove (about ten feet in front of us on the trail) fluttered a short distance away. This time it posed for a photo.
A couple more steps and it whistled down into the shady canyon somewhere. The other species were fun and/or challenging—but for some reason I appreciated our encounter with the dove.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 8:34 a.m., I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
A seeming slight lull in migration this morning, another coolish-one. Perhaps the drought is affecting things—well, I’m sure it’s affecting things, but this is only my second fall migration I’ve experienced here in Utah.
The usual suspects, couple chickadees, couple of corvids, bunch house finches, all that. No yellow-rumps, but I did spy a lovely little White-crowned Sparrow.
Already wondering what tomorrow will bring.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 8:29 a.m., I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
Nice quick hike with dog this morning. Many birds moving about (although fewer species than a few days ago). Good air, good exercise—and I had a sparrow on my list for a change.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 8:29 a.m., I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
1. Black-billed Magpie* 2. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay 3. Northern Flicker** 4. Black-capped Chickadee** 5. Mourning Dove 6. House Finch** 7. Mountain Chickadee 8. Yellow-rumped Warbler 9. Spotted Towhee 10. Pine Siskin 11. Chipping Sparrow 12. American Robin 13. Ruby-crowned Kinglet 14. Lesser Goldfinch** (v)
Elsewhere
15. Song Sparrow (v) 16. Downy Woodpecker (v)
Mammals
Rock Squirrel
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere
