Dog and I headed up the mountain a bit earlier this morning in hopes of another little wave of spring migrants. But the sky was overcast, and the breeze came from the northwest, and I imagined it wouldn’t be very auspicious.

Then an unfamiliar bird popped up in front of us and perched on a low branch. I froze. Jack (the perfect birder dog) froze. I managed some photos and a video. I had no idea what it was. Maybe a mimic? I thought.

Turns out I was right: my first Sage Thrasher. Didn’t even know they existed.

Also more Orange-crowned Warblers, a Cooper’s Hawk (calling, perhaps near its nest), and I even conjured up a Chukar high on the ridge. Then, to top things off, it began to sprinkle on our return.

I do love a walk in light rain.

Grandeur Peak Area List
Beginning at 8 a.m., I hiked several hundred feet up a mountain.

1. Song Sparrow* (v)
2. American Robin*
3. Black-capped Chickadee
4. Lesser Goldfinch** (v)
5. Black-billed Magpie
6. Pine Siskin (v)
7. Spotted Towhee
8. Sage Thrasher†
9. Chukar
10. Orange-crowned Warbler
11. House Finch*
12. Chipping Sparrow
13. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay*
14. Cooper’s Hawk
15. Dark-eyed Junco (v)
16. Northern Flicker* (v)

Elsewhere

17. Eurasian Collared Dove
18. European Starling
19. California Quail
20. Turkey Vulture

Mammals

Mule Deer

(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
†Life
‡First-of-year bird