Yes, it was warmer this morning—much warmer. And by the time dog and I started our hike, warmer still. (And in afternoon, very much warmer.) Overcast, with a hazy sun occasionally, but warm, and only breezy.
As I kind of suspected would happen after so great a windblown chill, the birds came back. Had a dozen species today—including a Bald Eagle flyby, at which point my camera froze and didn’t save my photos (grr)—some of which posed. It was a comfortable hike, a good one. Even a great one.
Thankful I can do this daily, and for my daily companion. ??
Beech Hill List Beginning at 8:29 a.m., I hiked all trails.
1. American Crow (v) 2. Tufted Titmouse 3. Bald Eagle 4. Northern Flicker (v) 5. Common Raven (v) 6. American Robin 7. Black-capped Chickadee 8. Brown Creeper 9. American Goldfinch** (v) 10. White-breasted Nuthatch** 11. Dark-eyed Junco 12. Downy Woodpecker
Elsewhere
13. Blue Jay
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
This nippy morning on the mountainside, toward the end of my hike with dog, I heard an unfamiliar, loud, raspy sort of bird call. I tracked it down around a canyon rim. It was a Canyon Wren. A lifer for me.
Otherwise, lots of migrants moving through. Fall is in full force already. And already looking forward to tomorrow’s morning excursion.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 9: a.m., I hiked a few hundred feet up the mountain.
Not a bird, but I had to mention the big ol’ spider dog and I encountered on the mountainside this morning. It’s been decades since I’ve come across a tarantula in the wild—and I’m pretty sure this was Jack’s first sighting. (He was highly interested.)
Elsewise, it was a lovely hike. Bunch of birds (no great photos), great views, cool fall air, and a feeling of, well, just being alive.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 8:45 a.m., I hiked a few hundred feet up the mountain.
1. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay** 2. House Finch* 3. Northern Flicker (v) 4. Black-capped Chickadee (v) 5. Black-billed Magpie* 6. Spotted Towhee 7. American Goldfinch* 8. Dark-eyed Junco 9. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (v) 10. American Robin (v) 11. Red-tailed Hawk
Elsewhere
12. Eurasian Collared Dove 13. Song Sparrow 14. Mourning Dove 15. European Starling 16. Broad-tailed Hummingbird 17. Downy Woodpecker (v)
v = Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere
