Another day of variety. Another cool-in-the-morning hike with dog, one with plenty of birds to sneak up on—or try to. Dipped on a few but managed a third long list in a row.
In this, perhaps my favorite birding time of year, I can’t help but live with a little thrill in my gut and an extra feeling of sweet anticipation in the morning.
(Pretty sure Jack feels it, too.)
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 8:16 a.m., I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
Slept late. (Must’ve needed that extra hour.) When Captain Jack and I got to the trailhead, the sun had already topped the ridge, and the air was dry and warm—with a touch of haze across the basin.
But all seems so quiet and seductive at this time of year—a slight note here, a soft chip there. In fact, I heard at least two bird sounds this morning that I couldn’t identify at all.
The mystery is the thing. (Also learning through observing.)
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 8:52 a.m., I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
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.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird (male).
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
