Got to the trailhead at midmorning. A day much like yesterday, but a temperature ten degrees (F) colder, and with a fairly stout breeze. Nippy in the shade—but the sun brought the warmth out.
Notable was a long parade of elk up the near slope, slowly following the sun, with several mule deer browsing on either side.
Also notable was a good-sized population of scrub-jays along the trails—chasing, hollering, making a lot of noise.
Also notable (for a Sunday): we met no other human or dog up there.
Grandeur Peak Area List
Beginning at 10:30 a.m., I hiked a few hundred feet up the mountain.
1. Black-billed Magpie*
2. Northern Flicker
3. Black-capped Chickadee**
4. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay*
5. House Finch**
6. Song Sparrow** (v)
7. Dark-eyed Junco
8. Lesser Goldfinch** (v)
Elsewhere
9. American Robin (v)
(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: American robin, black-billed magpie, black-capped chickadee, dark-eyed junco, house finch, lesser goldfinch, northern flicker, song sparrow, Woodhouse’s scrub jay
