This bright Memorial Day morning, dog and I were alone on the deer trails for the first three quarters of our hike. Just us and the birds (and a rock squirrel) until other human started trickling up the sides of the sun-splashed foothills.

Of the good selection of species I spied, the funnest was a Brewer’s Sparrow. Only with the week did I hear my first Brewer’s Sparrow song, and it was pretty grand—then today’s bird decided to perform something of a symphony. A long collection of trills on different pitches and with varied lengths and flourishes.

My favorite part of the day, bird-wise. Then again, as a by-hear birder, I do love me some birdsong.

Grandeur Peak Area List
Beginning at 7 a.m. (8 MDT), I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.

1. Lazuli Bunting
2. Black-headed Grosbeak
3. Rock Pigeon*
4. Black-chinned Hummingbird
5. American Robin*
6. Spotted Towhee
7. Warbling Vireo
8. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay
9. Mourning Dove
10. Mallard
11. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
12. House Finch**
13. Chipping Sparrow
14. Black-billed Magpie*
15. Black-capped Chickadee
16. Pine Siskin (v)
17. Virginia’s Warbler
18. Black-throated Gray Warbler (v)
19. Brewer’s Sparrow
20. Song Sparrow* (v)
21. Turkey Vulture
22. Lesser Goldfinch (v)

Elsewhere

23. California Quail
24. European Starling

Mammals

Rock Squirrel

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