4 Surveys in 1

This survey in the Highwood Mountains had everything: cliff, montane, riparian, sage.

Lodgepole, Doug Fir, Ponderosa Pine, snags, Juniper, Buffalo Berry, Sage, Snowberry, Cliff Rose, Choke Cherry, Saskatoon, Aspen, tall meadow grass

It even had high altitude trees like Limber Pine.

Elevation: 6,000 feet.

A flock of 17 Brewer’s Blackbirds (adults and juvies) were in these trees and rocks.

Female Brewer’s Blackbird

photo by Jeff Bleam

2 females and 2 males flew up and stood sentry while I counted.

Male Brewer’s Blackbird

photo by Jonathan Ekerson

This hill was steeper than it looks.

Vesper Sparrow, Clay-colored Sparrow

Lazuli Bunting, Veery, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Dusky Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Ovenbird, Field Sparrow, Yellow Warbler

Chipping Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Rock Wren, Common Raven, Brown-headed Cowbird, Canada Jay, Clark’s Nutcracker, Common Nighthawk, Red-breasted Nuthatch, American Robin, Red Squirrel

Steeper than it looks.

Townsend’s Solitaire, Red Crossbill, Western Tanager, Mourning Dove, Cedar Waxwing, Pine Siskin, Mountain Bluebird, Golden Eagle, Mountain Chickadee