As a part of our daily hike routine, Captain Jack and I climb a ways up a little shady canyon, to emerge on a well-worn deer tail that passes through an open area dotted with juniper trees. (It reminds me in a way of Maine’s blueberry barrens, but steeper, and with junipers instead of beech and birch and alders.) Sometimes it’s quiet up there, sometimes active.
Today it was quiet—not least because of a chill wind. But also likely thanks to a pair of Cooper’s Hawks that have returned this year to nest across the canyon. Still, House Finches were active (they apparently like to nest up there), as were a couple of scrub-jays—and I believe I found a tree that the Juniper Titmice seem to like. There were a couple deer up there, too—above us—and in a tree down in the canyon I’ve been watching chickadees clean out a nest dcavity.
We got an early start this day, dog and I. No unusual birds at the outset (although we both spied a cottontail), then when we got to little Coyote Canyon, I made a split decision to hike the ridge, and we headed up the switchback to the Pipeline Overlook.
A clear morning, cool in the shade, warm in the sun. From about 800 feet up, I happened to look down and see a coyote casually trotting along a trail we’d hiked about 45 minutes before. New flowers along the trail, little patches of remnant show.
Toward the end, I happened to spot a Sharp-shinned Hawk circling above us—a migrant perhaps. A good day, with exciting times to come.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 7:16 a.m. (8:16 MDT), I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
As forecast, the day dawned clear. Nippy still, but much dryer trails. Bunches of birdies, too—nearly 50 of them robins.
A raven flew over, had a nice look at a solitaire, two starlings flew by (unusual), and a goodly amount of towhees. Also stopped to chat with some early-rising human (and dog) friends.
Tomorrow being Sunday—and having a similar forecast—we can maybe expect more of the same.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 7:24 a.m. (8:24 MDT), I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
1. American Robin* 2. Spotted Towhee 3. Black-capped Chickadee (v) 4. Townsend’s Solitaire 5. Northern Flicker 6. Common Raven 7. European Starling 8. Rock Pigeon* 9. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay 10. House Finch* 11. Juniper Titmouse (v) 12. Black-billed Magpie* (v) 13. Lesser Goldfinch** (v)
Elsewhere
14. House Sparrow (v) 15. Mourning Dove 16. California Quail 17. Song Sparrow
Mammals
Mule Deer
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere
