Coldest of a string of cold mornings, but calm and sunny enough to ensure a lovely hike with dog. Diminished snow (from yesterday’s mini-thaw) and no elk—but many deer, and a dozen good birds.
The most fun was—as usual—a surprise. While watching a band of chickadees flit through the junipers along the trail, I heard the harsh tell-tale calls of a Steller’s Jay. I see them rarely but always enjoy the peeks they afford me. And I heard a new vocalization today: a faint rapid series of clear notes. Just the black against the rich blue, I guess—along with the usual corvid personality.
Any time a bird species makes a surprising appearance, you can bet that’s a fun bird.
Grandeur Peak Area List
At 08:46 MST, I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
1. Pine Siskin
2. Dark-eyed Junco
3. Black-capped Chickadee
4. American Robin** (v)
5. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay
6. Song Sparrow* (v)
7. Rock Pigeon*
8. House Finch** (v)
9. Black-billed Magpie (v)
10. Steller’s Jay
11. Northern Flicker (v)
12. Spotted Towhee (v)
Elsewhere
13. Lesser Goldfinch
14. House Sparrow (v)
Mammals
Mule Deer
(v) Voice only
* Also Elsewhere
**Voice only Elsewhere
Tags: American robin, black-billed magpie, black-capped chickadee, dark-eyed junco, house finch, house sparrow, lesser goldfinch, mule deer, northern flicker, pine siskin, rock pigeon, song sparrow, spotted towhee, Steller’s jay, Woodhouse’s scrub jay
