I never tire of encountering solitaires. Specifically, Townsend’s Solitaires. On my hike with dog this warmish, springlike morning, I encountered at least three.
First, at our far terminus, I heard a soft, two-note whistle and wondered what it might be. Solitaire occurred to me, but I’d only heard them sing once: at least one of a pair chasing each other sang a series of beautiful clear notes and trills. I waited—and after a moment, I heard just that song. And in the trees high across the draw were two, chasing each other. (I thought I saw a third but can’t be sure.)
Perhaps a half-hour later, I happened upon another, perched quietly in a juniper tree, plucking berries.
Grandeur Peak Area List
Beginning at 9 a.m., I hiked a few hundred feet up the mountain.
1. Black-billed Magpie*
2. House Finch*
3. Lesser Goldfinch** (v)
4. Dark-eyed Junco*
5. Black-capped Chickadee**
6. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay*
7. Northern Flicker** (v)
8. European Starling*
9. Townsend’s Solitaire
10. American Robin* (v)
Elsewhere
11. Eurasian Collared Dove
12. Sharp-shinned Hawk
Mammals
Rocky Mountain Elk
Mule Deer
(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: American robin, black-billed magpie, black-capped chickadee, dark-eyed junco, Eurasian collared dove, European starling, house finch, lesser goldfinch, northern flicker, sharp-shinned hawk, Townsend’s solitaire, Woodhouse’s scrub jay
