Mostly overcast this morning. Not great air, but not so bad. Cool, with a breeze to start—but the breeze soon diminished.
Quiet at first. The second bird I saw was another Rock Wren. (Rusty enough that I thought it was a Canyon Wren at first.) Also heard a pair of Chukars—and got a good look at another Vesper Sparrow.
I love this quiet season. Birding’s a challenge. You’ve got to pay close attention, which pulls you out of your head and into the miraculous world.d
Grandeur Peak Area List
At 7:05 a.m. (8:05 MDT), I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
1. Black-chinned Hummingbird*
2. Rock Wren
3. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay
4. Eurasian Collared-dove
5. Spotted Towhee
6. Lesser Goldfinch
7. Chipping Sparrow
8. Downy Woodpecker (v)
9. Chukar (v)
10. Black-capped Chickadee
11. House Finch**
12. Vesper Sparrow
Elsewhere
13. Rock Pigeon
14. California Quail
15. Black-billed Magpie
Mammals
Rock Squirrel
(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
