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
Another quiet morning—although the muffled traffic noise suggested a northeast breeze. A good number of individual birds moving through, but not a whole bunch of species.
Still, I had a nice surprise when, as on a mission, a solitary Northern Harrier flew determinedly overhead, southbound. Only the third harrier I’ve seen here, I believe.
Had lots of finches and robins, along with a bunch of other usual suspects. No Mountain Chickadees, though.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 8:33 a.m., I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
1. Northern Flicker** 2. Mourning Dove 3. Black-capped Chickadee 4. House Finch* 5. Dark-eyed Junco 6. Northern Harrier 7. Spotted Towhee 8. Pine Siskin 9. American Robin** 10. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay 11. Black-billed Magpie 12. Lesser Goldfinch*
Mammals
Rock Squirrel
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere
Nice quick hike with dog this morning. Many birds moving about (although fewer species than a few days ago). Good air, good exercise—and I had a sparrow on my list for a change.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 8:29 a.m., I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
1. Black-billed Magpie* 2. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay 3. Northern Flicker** 4. Black-capped Chickadee** 5. Mourning Dove 6. House Finch** 7. Mountain Chickadee 8. Yellow-rumped Warbler 9. Spotted Towhee 10. Pine Siskin 11. Chipping Sparrow 12. American Robin 13. Ruby-crowned Kinglet 14. Lesser Goldfinch** (v)
Elsewhere
15. Song Sparrow (v) 16. Downy Woodpecker (v)
Mammals
Rock Squirrel
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere
