4 November 2024

Posts Tagged ‘hosue finch’

Farewell, Utah

Thursday, April 21st, 2022
Red-tailed Hawk, East Millcreek, Salt Lake City, Utah, 21 April 2022.
Red-tailed Hawk.

The wind was a-whippin’ when dog and I hit the trailhead this morning. Temps about 60 (F), but 20, 30, 40 mile-an-hour gusts. Although it was a favorable southerly wind, I didn’t exactly expect to see a bunch of birds—let alone any first-of-year migrants—in such extreme conditions.

In fact, I didn’t see any first-of-year birds. But I managed to see a good bunch of species.

Most notably were a couple of windblown White-crowned Sparrows. And on a utility pole just above the sparrows perched the neighborhood red-tail. Quail, vulture, gnatcatcher, kinglet—a pretty good selection for the beginnings of a turbulent weather day.

Couple of rainy, snow days coming up, looks like, but Sunday looks nice. Hitting the road on Monday.

Grandeur Peak Area List
At 7:55 a.m., sun time, I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.

1. American Robin*
2. Ruby-crowned Kinglet (v)
3. Song Sparrow** (v)
4. Rock Pigeon*
5. Spotted Towhee
6. Eurasian Collared-dove*
7. Black-capped Chickadee (v)
8. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay
9. House Finch*
10. California Quail** (v)
11. White-crowned Sparrow
12. Red-tailed Hawk
13. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (v)
14. Cooper’s Hawk (v)
15. Turkey Vulture
16. Pine Siskin (v)

Elsewhere

17. House Sparrow (v)
18. Lesser Goldfinch
`19. European Starling
20. American Crow (v)

Mammals

Mule Deer

(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere

Success Story

Thursday, February 24th, 2022
Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay (growing new tail feathers), East Millcreek, Salt Lake City, Utah, 24 February 2022.
Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay (growing new tail feathers).

Dog and I hiked at our usual morning hour this partly sunny day. Temps in the teens (F) to start, but no wind—was a pleasant stroll on the deer trails.

Many more birds about, albeit the usual suspects. Most interesting was the discovery that the tail-less scrub-jay appears to be growing new tail feathers. Seems to me like an uplifting success story. Could use a few of those these days.

Grandeur Peak Area List
At 09:15 MST, I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.

1. Pine Siskin
2. Dark-eyed Junco**
3. Black-capped Chickadee
4. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay
5. Song Sparrow (v)
6. Rock Pigeon*
7. House Finch**
8. Black-billed Magpie

Elsewhere

9. House Sparrow (v)
10. Lesser Goldfinch (v)

Mammals

Red Squirrel
Mule Deer

(v) Voice only
* Also Elsewhere
**Voice only Elsewhere

Finch

Tuesday, February 15th, 2022
House Finch, East Millcreek, Salt Lake City, Utah, 15 February 2022.
House Finch.

Another warm morning, but with veil of damp haze in the air, blurring the sun a bit. Less ice on the trail, and more mud, making for easier climbing for dog and me. Quite a few bird species out—as well as a dozen deer and a cottontail.

Unusually (for February), I had a choice of photos today. Decided on the male House Finch that decided to pose early on. Seemed sort of festive for a warm winter morn.

Precipitation coming. We’ll soon see what kind exactly.

Grandeur Peak Area List
At 08:44 MST, I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.

1. Song Sparrow (v)
2. American Robin (v)
3. Black-capped Chickadee
4. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay**
5. House Finch*
6. Rock Pigeon*
7. Dark-eyed Junco
8. Pine Siskin (v)
9. Black-billed Magpie
10. Northern Flicker**

Elsewhere

11. Eurasian Collared-dove (v)

Mammals

Red Squirrel
Mountain Cottontail
Mule Deer

(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere

 
Bird Report is a (sometimes intermittent) record of the birds I encounter while hiking, see while driving, or spy outside my window. —Brian Willson



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