4th Annual Bird Hop a Bird Watching and Social Treat.

Twenty birders assembled at Coal Creek Coffee downtown Laramie on Saturday to carpool to Centennial and Albany for a relaxed bird watching Leap Day morning. The largest draw yet for the LAS 4th Annual Bird Hop, the day did not disappoint.

First stop was Centennial, where about half the group wandered into the backyard of the Bear Bottom Grill & Bar and along the tiny back streets of town, while the other half crossed the street to the area around the Library. We viewed Steller's Jays, Black-capped Chickadees, Magpies and a couple Downy Woodpeckers. And the feeders at the Bear Bottom and across the road offered up a feast for a plethora of rosy finches!

The carpool then moved along Dinwiddie Road to Albany Lodge. Along the way were spotted a Rough-legged Hawk and a Raven. Unfortunately the feeders were not out and stocked this year, and there were no birds to be seen around the Lodge, but all enjoyed a hearty breakfast and good company before heading back to Laramie.

Magpie peeking through from nest

Gray-crowned Rosy finch

The group at breakfast