Another fun morning hike. Even before the hike, in fact: the first bird I spied this early morning—perched on the tip of a conifer out front of the house—was a first-of-year species (Brown-headed Cowbird).
But during the hike proper—which happened on a nippy morning (40s (F) to start, in the mountain shade) turning into a warmish morning—I counted lots of species, failed at tracking a couple of new songs, but managed to tally a new lifer and see a bunch of hummingbirds.
The lifer: a Plumbeous Vireo, which I first heard, than caught a glimpse of. Alas, no photo, though. (Yet.)
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 8 a.m., I hiked several hundred feet up a mountain.
For the second straight morning, dog and I did the Millcreek circuit. By that I mean, we climbed the near valley to the top of the ridge, then along the ridge to the terminus of the Pipeline Trail—then down the switchback to where we began. Not quite four miles total, 1,200-plus feet in elevation, about a two-and-a-half hour hike.
Lazuli Bunting (male).
Today, though, it was humid, and there was a drizzle or two, and then the sun came out.
More birds on my list than any day I can remember here. No lifers or first-of-years—just a nice selection of feathered critters. I hope we have as much luck tomorrow.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 8 a.m., I hiked 1,000-plus feet up a mountain.
Fun hike. Breezy, 50s (F). Got to the trailhead early—early enough to surprise a Mountain Cottontail in the shadow of the mountain.
Lots of singing Lazuli Buntings still. Lots. Multiple hummingbird sightings. Decided to make a circuit up the valley to the ridge above the Millcreek trails, back down the switchback. The result? Twenty-three species—and a very fun time.
Noteworthy: two singing Black-headed Grosbeaks (first-of-year birds).
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 7:45 a.m., I hiked 1,200-plus feet up a mountain.
