Cool early, but not as cool as yesterday. Quiet again, but not quite as quiet. More migrating yellow-rumps. Also a few posing pigeons.
Rock Pigeons are, of course, considered invasive species on this here continent. As are (around here), European Starlings, Chukars, House Sparrows, and Eurasian Collared-doves. Plant-wise, every day I see Russian olive trees and hillsides covered with myrtle spurge (although the latter is technically an escaped ornamental).
However, I rather resent calling these things “invasives.” In fact, considering we humans are responsible for all these misplaced species, it’s shifting blame.
Me? I appreciate each pigeon for blameless critter it is.
(Note: the autumn equinox arrived in afternoon, so tomorrow’s will be our first fall hike this year.)
Grandeur Peak Area List
At 7:21 a.m. (8:21 MDT), I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
1. Northern Flicker
2. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay**
3. Rock Pigeon*
4. Spotted Towhee
5. American Robin
6. House Finch*
7. Yellow-rumped Warbler
8. Black-capped Chickadee (v)
9. Chipping Sparrow
10. Black-billed Magpie**
11. Pine Siskin (v)
12. Lesser Goldfinch
Elsewhere
13. Barn Swallow
14. American Crow
15. Red-tailed Hawk
Mammals
Red Squirrel
(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: American crow, American robin, barn swallow, black-billed magpie, black-capped chickadee, chipping sparrow, house finch, lesser goldfinch, northern flicker, pine siskin, red squirrel, red-tailed hawk, rock pigeon, spotted towhee, Woodhouse’s scrub jay, yellow-rumped warbler
