This day dawned warm (mid- to upper-30s (F)) and mostly overcast. My morning hike brought not many species, but pretty good numbers.
Birds were hopping back at home, though: I had as many species within ear- and eyeshot of my door. Sparrows, robin, chickadee (a species I did not have up the mountain trails)—and, last bird of the day, an American Kestrel, perched on a street light post overlooking the highway, with the city view behind him.
Thanks, kestrel.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 9:05 a.m. (MST), I hiked several hundred feet up a mountain.
8. Song Sparrow (v) 9. House Sparrow (v 10. American Robin 11. Eurasian Collared-dove 12. European Starling 13. Black-capped Chickadee 14. American Kestrel
Mammals
Rock Squirrel Red Squirrel
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere
Some days, like today, few birds pose for me during my morning hike with the Captain. I did get a photo of a scrub-jay, but that’s pretty much a daily occurrence. Been a while since a cool bird—or cool photo of a regular bird—has made an appearance. Guess that’s just winter for you.
Lucky for me, I have a little crew of year-round yard birds that pop up from time to time.
This day it was the Song Sparrow that hangs out in the leaf-covered fence below the deck. I heard him singing a bit this late morning, crept out, and snagged a photo.
Thanks, friend.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 9:05 a.m. (MST), I hiked several hundred feet up a mountain.
1. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay 2. House Finch* 3. American Robin** (v) 4. Rock Pigeon* 5. Spotted Towhee 6. Dark-eyed Junco 7. Black-capped Chickadee 8. European Starling* 9. Eurasian Collared-dove (v) 10. Black-billed Magpie*
Elsewhere
11. House Sparrow (v) 12. Song Sparrow
Mammals
Red Squirrel
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere
I first set foot outside each morning after feeding Captain Jack. The two of us do, dog and I. Often daylight has only half brightened the sky. If not too dark, I’ll bring my camera, just in case a bird flies by.
This morning, it happened. First I heard its cry, then saw it approach—a hawk, a Cooper’s Hawk, flying low from the southwest, flying over our heads. It perched in a tree on the neighbor’s property. Despite the dim light, I got a surprisingly clear photo.
Otherwise this warmish (above freezing) morning, there were few photo ops. So I’d like to publicly thank this early morning accipiter—the first bird.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 9 a.m. (MST), I hiked several hundred feet up a mountain.
1. Black-billed Magpie* 2. American Robin (v) 3. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay 4. Northern Flicker (v) 5. Rock Pigeon* 6. Black-capped Chickadee (v) 7. Dark-eyed Junco 8. Spotted Towhee 9. House Finch**
Mammals
Red Squirrel
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere
