The wind awakened me before dawn: the rush in the branches of trees, the whistle under the door, the clattering of stuff outside. And the wind had not abated (had perhaps increased) by the time dog and I started up the switchback.
Birding is difficult in a high wind. It’s hard to hear birds’ voices. It’s hard for them to perch. They’re even (I’m guessing) worried about hearing the telltale sounds of danger. But I did somehow hear (then see) a solitary robin. And somehow spied a high-flying eagle (knowing to scan windy skies)—as well as a sharpie. A little flock of siskins zipped overhead, then turned around and fled downwind.
On our return, I spied a single pigeon on a lamp post below. And finally, in the lee, I managed to hear the chips of chickadees and yellow-rumps. And later, doing errands in town, a random pair of geese flew by
Tomorrow’s supposed to be a wet one.
Grandeur Peak Area List
At 7:58 a.m. (8:58 MDT), I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
1. American Robin
2. Golden Eagle
3. Pine Siskin
4. Sharp-shinned Hawk
5. Rock Pigeon*
6. Black-capped Chickadee
7. Yellow-rumped Warbler
Elsewhere
8. California Gull
9. European Starling
10. Mourning Dove
11. Black-billed Magpie
12.Canada Goose
Mammals
Red Squirrel
(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
Tags: American robin, black-billed magpie, black-capped chickadee, California gull, Canada goose, European starling, golden eagle, mourning dove, pine siskin, red squirrel, rock pigeon, sharp-shinned hawk, yellow-rumped warbler
