It was warm—about 71° (F)—when dog and I arrived at the trailhead rather early. Still some sun shining through the clouds, but the clouds were supposed to take over, with rain possible later in the day. Not many birds to start, but once we hit the edge between woods and fields, my species numbers kinda took off.
Young Red-bellied Woodpecker, sapsucker in the woods, a few Brown Creepers, jay and crow and raven. Most notable: a group of about fifteen cawing crows approached the summit on our return—and I spied what the source of their attention: a first-of-year Northern Harrier.
Still no rain tonight, but it’s supposed to start in the wee hours and rain much of tomorrow. We shall see what kind of hike we take. Exciting!
Beech Hill List Beginning at 7:11 a.m., I hiked most trails.
1. Red-eyed Vireo (v) 2. Hermit Thrush (v) 3. American Crow* 4. American Goldfinch 5. Black-capped Chickadee** (v) 6. Eastern Wood-pewee 7. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 8. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (v) 9. Brown Creeper 10. Tufted Titmouse** (v) 11. Common Yellowthroat 12. Gray Catbird 13. Alder flycatcher (v) 14. Eastern Towhee** 15. Red-bellied Woodpecker 16. Eastern Phoebe 17. Downy Woodpecker (v) 18. American Robin* (v) 19. Yellow Warbler 20. Mourning Dove* 21. Cedar Waxwing 22. Song Sparrow* 23. Northern Flicker 24. Least Flycatcher 25. Blue Jay (v) 26. Northern Harrier† 27. Common Raven (v)
Dog and I hiked a bit later this morning, in weather much like yesterday’s—but with a veil of clouds and a breeze. And a goodly number of bird species. Also more deer: more than a dozen in the junipers, despite the unseasonable heat and dryness.
Most noteworthy was the glimpse I got a glimpse of a Northern Harrier in flight (I’ve only seen one or two here), but most fun was a little chase I had with a Rock Wren, I suspect (but can’t be sure) the same bird as yesterday. Also two doves, and a first-in-a-while Downy Woodpecker.
I’m advised to expect a little rain and more seasonable temperatures this coming week. Of course I’ll hike in any weather.
Grandeur Peak Area List At 7:56 a.m., sun time, I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
1. Northern Flicker** (v) 2. American Robin* 3. House Finch* 4. Spotted Towhee 5. Rock Pigeon 6. Rock Wren 7. Black-capped Chickadee (v) 8. Black-billed Magpie** 10. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay** 11. Pine Siskin (v) 12. Northern Harrier† 13. Dark-eyed Junco 14. California Quail (v) 15. Downy Woodpecker (v) 16. Mourning Dove (wing whistle)
Elsewhere
14. Lesser Goldfinch (v) 15. European Starling
Mammals
Mountain Cottontail Mule Deer Red Squirrel (v)
(v) Voice only *Also Elsewhere **Voice only Elsewhere
I do admire the handsomeness of a White-crowned Sparrow. And for two straight mornings—a fair one and an overcast one—they honored me by posing for photos. So here’s another pic.
Yesterday’s forecast had called for morning showers, but none appeared. (There was a brief midday one.) A dozen species again, including—today’s surprise—a Northern Harrier, headed south.
The weather folks are more confident of rain tomorrow. We shall see.
Grandeur Peak Area List At 7:40 a.m. (8:40 MDT), I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
1. House Finch** 2. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay 3. Yellow-rumped Warbler 4. Rock Pigeon* 5. Northern Flicker 6. Spotted Towhee (v) 7. Black-capped Chickadee 8. White-crowned Sparrow 9. American Robin 10. Black-billed Magpie (v) 11. Northern Harrier 12. Lesser Goldfinch 13. American Robin
Elsewhere
13. Eurasian Collared-dove
Mammals
Red Squirrel
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere
