Welp, we mixed it up this early morning, dog and me—accompanied our human and dog friends up the many trails winding around the Camden Snow Bowl. The day was bright and the winds were light and the grade was steep. Got a few different-than-usual species (and missed a few common at Beech Hill) and couldn’t well keep track of the chronology of sightings—thus, today’s species are listed I alphabetical order.
Ol’ Jack did well for such a warm, steep hike. (I could say the same for myself.) A change of scenery ain’t ever a bad thing.
We’ll be back at Beech Hill tomorrow, though (during what’s supposed to be some light rain).
Camden Snow Bowl Trails List Starting at 6:13 a.m. EST (7:13 DST), I hiked some Camden Snow Bowl trails.
1. Alder Flycatcher (v) 2. American Goldfinch** 3. American Redstart (v) 4. American Robin* 5. Baltimore Oriole 6. Black-and-white Warbler (v) 7. Black-capped Chickadee 8. Black-throated Blue Warbler (v) 9. Black-throated Green Warbler (v) 10. Blue-headed Vireo (v) 11. Blue Jay (v) 12. Broad-winged Hawk (v) 13. Brown Creeper (v) 14. Cedar Waxwing (v) 15. Chestnut-sided Warbler (v) 16. Chipping Sparrow* 17. Common Loon 18. Common Yellowthroat (v) 19. Dark-eyed Junco 20. Eastern Phoebe* (v) 21. Eastern Wood-pewee (v) 22. Great Crested Flycatcher (v) 23. Hermit Thrush (v) 24. Least Flycatcher (v) 25. Mallard 26. Mourning Dove (v) 27. Ovenbird (v) 28. Purple Finch (v) 29. Red-eyed Vireo (v) 30. Red-winged Blackbird 31. Scarlet Tanager 32. Song Sparrow* 33. Tree Swallow 34. Tufted Titmouse (v) 35. Turkey Vulture 36. Warbling Vireo (v) 37. White-breasted Nuthatch (v) 38. Yellow Warbler (v)
Elsewhere
39. American Crow
Mammals
Eastern Gray Squirrel
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year
About two inches of rain fell overnight, but sure enough—as forecast—it’d stopped by the time dog and I were ready to hike this morning. Temps in the 50s (F) to start, and foggy on the hill, but it was warmer (and clearer) by the time of our return.
In between times, I managed a list of 44 birds (including a first-of-year Warbling Vireo), but most noteworthy were a pair of trail amphibians.
On the main trail, near the summit, sat a Green Frog. Just sat there on the gravel, letting me take photos. Finally I got close enough that it decided to hop off into the wet grass. And down in the middle of the lower wooded trail, I happened to spy a tiny bright orange newt eft.
It’s been pretty dry, so I expect the fresh douse of water drew the amphibians out. Then again, what do I know.
Beech Hill List Beginning at 6:16 a.m. sun time (7:16 DST), I hiked all trails.
Trouble operating my GoPro for the second straight day—this time, I managed to set it for “night lapse.” Sheesh. (Tomorrow I’ll do a careful equipment check.) Compared to yesterday, at least, it was a quiet morning, with not a lot of excitement, nor many photo opportunities.
Except toward the end, when I happened to spot a bird perched on some bare scrub-oak twigs. And for the second straight August day, I had a first-of-year species.
Grandeur Peak Area List At 7:05 a.m. (8:05 MDT), I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
1. House Finch** 2. Black-capped Chickadee 3. Black-chinned Hummingbird 4. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay 5. Rock Pigeon* 6. Lazuli Bunting 7. Eurasian Collared-dove 8. Spotted Towhee (v) 9. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 10. Western Tanager 11. Warbling Vireo (v) 12. Accipiter (sp) 13. Broad-tailed Hummingbird 14. Lesser Goldfinch (v) 15. American Goldfinch 16. Pine Siskin (v) 17. American Robin (v) 18. Sage Thrasher†
Elsewhere
19. Black-billed Magpie 20. European Starling 21. American Crow 22. California Quail
Mammals
Red Squirrel
(v) Voice only *Also elsewhere **Voice only elsewhere †First-of-year bird
