Early hike this morning. Barely sub-freezing, in the shadow of mountains for the most part. But birds were about—including one of several Cooper’s Hawks I’ve seen up there. Also a trio of kinglets.
Of note: In town, I spotted a pair of California Gulls foraging for scraps in a parking lot (first I could ID as lifers); in the neighborhood, I heard the exotic song of a California Quail for the first time.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 8:15 a.m., I hiked a few hundred feet up the mountain.
1. Black-capped Chickadee** 2. Northern Flicker** (v) 3. Black-billed Magpie* 4. American Goldfinch** 5. House Finch* 6. Ruby-crowned Kinglet 7. Cooper’s Hawk 8. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay* 9. American Robin* (v)
Elsewhere
10. House Sparrow (v) 12. Eurasian Collared Dove 13. California Quail 14. California Gull‡ 15. Mourning Dove
v = Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere ‡Lifer
Not a bird, but I had to mention the big ol’ spider dog and I encountered on the mountainside this morning. It’s been decades since I’ve come across a tarantula in the wild—and I’m pretty sure this was Jack’s first sighting. (He was highly interested.)
Elsewise, it was a lovely hike. Bunch of birds (no great photos), great views, cool fall air, and a feeling of, well, just being alive.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 8:45 a.m., I hiked a few hundred feet up the mountain.
1. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay** 2. House Finch* 3. Northern Flicker (v) 4. Black-capped Chickadee (v) 5. Black-billed Magpie* 6. Spotted Towhee 7. American Goldfinch* 8. Dark-eyed Junco 9. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (v) 10. American Robin (v) 11. Red-tailed Hawk
Elsewhere
12. Eurasian Collared Dove 13. Song Sparrow 14. Mourning Dove 15. European Starling 16. Broad-tailed Hummingbird 17. Downy Woodpecker (v)
v = Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere
Rained this morning, which was a novel happening. Even had a rainbow. Rather than hike in a thundershower, Jack and I waited until mid-morning or so to hike the mountainside.
Song Sparrow.
Was an enjoyable time. Lots of birds. Most fun was about a ten-minute stop amid a whole slew of noisy little Broad-tailed Hummingbirds going about their social business.
Also liked listening to the western dialect being sung by a Song Sparrow in the yard.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 10:30 a.m., I hiked a few hundred feet up the mountain.
Bird Report is an intermittent record of what's outside my window in Rockport, Maine, USA (44°08'N latitude, 69°06'W longitude), and vicinity. —Brian Willson
