This morning’s hike—kind of a late one—was a hike of raptors. The day began in the 30s (F) but warmed quickly as the sun spread. Didn’t expect many birds, but not only did I spot quite a few, one was a lifer: Golden Eagle.

It was one of four raptors (three species), circling the summit of Grandeur Peak. I could see it was a very large bird. I could see it had oval patches of white on its underwings. I thought it possible, but I didn’t know for sure until we got back home, dog and I, and I managed to look up the field marks.

A memorable one for sure.

Grandeur Peak Area List
Beginning at 10:15 a.m., I hiked a few hundred feet up the mountain.

1. Black-capped Chickadee**
2. Black-billed Magpie*
3. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay* (v)
4. American Robin*
5. House Finch*
6. Northern Flicker
7. Spotted Towhee
8. Dark-eyed Junco
9. Red-tailed Hawk
10. Cooper’s Hawk
11. Golden Eagle‡
12. Chipping Sparrow

Elsewhere

13. Eurasian Collared Dove
14. House Sparrow
15. Gull (sp)
16. Lesser Goldfinch (v)
17. Rock Pigeon

v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
‡Lifer