Had snow in the forecast, but starting as rain. And sure enough, it was drizzling pretty steadily when Jack and I reached the trailhead this morning. After we’d climbed a couple hundred feet through mud and drizzle, the drizzle turned to flurries.
More juncos than anything today, at least three dozen, twittering and chirping in the watery landscape. Saw the hawk again (same tree, intended to check, got distracted, no photo). And back down toward the neighborhood, I heard—then saw—a Mountain Chickadee.
We love a good wet, muddy winter hike, my dog and I.
Grandeur Peak Area List
Beginning at 8:59 a.m. (MST), I hiked several hundred feet up a mountain.
1. House Finch* (v)
2. Black-capped Chickadee
3. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay
4. Rock Pigeon
5. American Robin**
6. Northern Flicker (v)
7. Dark-eyed Junco
8. Spotted Towhee (v)
9. Cooper’s Hawk
10. Lesser Goldfinch**
11. Mountain Chickadee
12. Song Sparrow** (v)
Elsewhere
13. House Sparrow (v)
(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: American robin, black-capped chickadee, cooper's hawk, dark-eyed junco, house finch, house sparrow, lesser goldfinch, mountain chickadee, northern flicker, rock pigeon, song sparrow, spotted towhee, Woodhouse’s scrub jay
