I’d lived here in Utah about a year before I saw my first (ever) Cassin’s Finch. In the past few months, I’ve seen a bunch of ’em.
From what I understand, they tend to wander around in flocks, depending on food, weather, and/or reasons known only to themselves. They’ve been hanging around a lot lately, though, and I’m glad. I like the way they look—all clean-cut and stylish looks. I also like their habit of letting me approach nearer than other finches do. Makes for some nice photos.
Warmer this morning, and mostly overcast. Showers forecast, but no rain fell until late afternoon (after a few hours of bright sun), and only a spattering. Up the mountainside, dog and I encountered scant few birds for much of our hike, then—as often seems to happen—some good stuff later.
The nicest surprise was a lone Cooper’s Hawk perched on a snag overlooking the landscape. (Perhaps this bird was one reason for how quiet it’d been.) Then I heard (and saw) both Lesser Goldfinches and House Finches. Finally just as we headed down the last stretch of switchback, I heard the voice of a Juniper Titmouse.
Warm day, good hike.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 9:10 a.m. (MST), I hiked several hundred feet up a mountain.
Just as dog and I began our morning hike, I spied an American Kestrel zipping over to a utility line just above the trail ahead of us. While I was angling for a photo, a Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay showed up, alighting just beyond the kestrel. Just as I began to snap some pics, and the jay lunged at the little falcon, which popped up and veered away.
Otherwise the usual suspects (including a Mountain Chickadee). Will be interesting to see how the wildlife activity changes after our forecast rain and snow and cold arrives this weekend sometime.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 8:15 a.m. (MST), I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
1. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay 2. Northern Flicker 3. House Finch* 4. American Kestrel 5. Spotted Towhee 6. Black-billed Magpie** 7. Dark-eyed Junco 8. Mountain Chickadee 9. Pine Siskin (v) 10. American Robin 11. Black-capped Chickadee 12. Lesser Goldfinch 13. Song Sparrow (v)
Elsewhere
14. Rock Pigeon
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere
