Today, the sun was shining bright and warm, and I jumped on the bike for a quick lunchtime ride. I rode the Pete’s Hill/Sourdough Trail loop, a good mix of road and trail, and enough up for a bit of challenge. It was remarkable to be up on the pedals again. The trails were a mosaic of dry, mud, and, still, ice/slush. It was killer fun (lots of mud speckles). A Merlin flew overhead, and I also saw my first butterfly of the spring, a Milbert’s Tortoiseshell.
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After the grind today, I went for a great ride out to Kirk’s Hill and then back into town. The total mileage was 15.11 miles and an elevation gain of ~1200 feet. The map below shows the route.
I went for an epic biking bird tour today. 29 miles on the bike! And a few firsts of the year as well. The route of my trip was a circuit around the eastern end of the Gallatin Valley. Along the bike route I stopped several birding jaunts and even a short hike (what was I thinking??). The route Google Earth and GPX are available at the end of this post.
In Town
On the way to the East Gallatin Recreational Area, I observed Brewer’s Blackbirds, American Robins, House Finches, House Sparrows, and American Crows in town.
East Gallatin Recreational Area
The morning was warm and overcast, so birds seem to be stirring at slower pace than the day before. Many of the birds were the same as yesterday with a couple of additions; American Dipper cruising upstream over the near flood stage East Gallatin River and an Eared Grebe joined the Western and Clark’s Grebes on the lake. I did manage to get a macro image of a bee – ID is mission impossible. I also was able get a real bad image of the nesting House Wren, so at least I know that I can keep trying with that pair.
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Cherry River Fishing Access
Riding over the Cherry Fishing Access, the habitat is a bit more marshy (if that is a word), so I turned up a Sora, Common Yellowthroat and Marsh Wren. I ran into the Director of Montana Audubon, Steve Hoffman. As shot the shit, a Common Gartersnake slithered by on the edge of the pond. I was able to quickly capture it and make a few mental notes on the patterning.
Onwards to Kirk Hill
From Cherry River I proceeded on the long haul across valley to Kirk Hill. The wind was just starting to blow, so the going was a little tough. Along the Cottonwood Road, a pair of Yellow-bellied Marmots were sunning in the Kuntz’s horse pasture. Turning toward Kirk Hill, the wind blew at my back and the going was downhill (thank God, Buddha, insert deity here). At Kirk Hill, I took a quick hike and turned up a few Ruby-crowned Kinglets and a Red-naped Sapsucker. I also saw a female little Mule Deer doe. The hike route is available below as Google Earth and GPX files.
The Rest of the Route
The remainder of route was all downhill going down the Sourdough Road. This was a great route for my first long ride. my previous long ride was ~10 miles.
Route GPS Files
Biking
Hiking
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