Warm—50s (F)—and most overcast when dog and I started up the switchback. Big thaw since yesterday (and surely more today). Nowhere near as many birds as the last couple days, but I did manage a dozen species.

That was before I decided on something of a lark to head on up the gully to the summit of the Ridge overlooking Millcreek Canyon. About the time we got up in the airy heights, a warm (for winter) wind began to blow. Which might explain the lower bird numbers. Nice views up there.

It was a long hike—and a good one.

Grandeur Peak Area List
Beginning at 8:32 a.m. (MST), I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.

1. Lesser Goldfinch** (v)
2. Cassin’s Finch
3. Dark-eyed Junco
4. Spotted Towhee
5. Black-capped Chickadee
6. Black-billed Magpie*
7. Northern Flicker**
8. Downy Woodpecker (v)
9. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay**
10. American Robin**
11. House Finch* (v)
12. Townsend’s Solitaire

Elsewhere

13. Rock Pigeon
14. House Sparrow (v)
15. Eurasian Collared-dove

Mammals

Mountain Cottontail
Mule Deer

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