Day 19.156: Bicknell's thrush

The main reason for our hike yesterday was to try and find Bicknell's thrush. J warned me that we were more likely to hear than to see them, so I was prepared for that. These birds generally breed above 3000 ft and in specific habitats, and Saddleback is a popular spot for birders to go in search of them.

Around 3500 ft we heard one for the first time. We'd reached the top of the Grey Ghost trail (only something like a mile, but with an elevation gain of 1000 ft or so). Soon after, I spotted a bird landing in a tree a little way off and sure enough, it was the bird we'd heard:

Bicknell's thrush

At the top of the next trail, near the top medical station, we heard another that sounded close-by and, after taking a few steps to change his viewing angle, J was able to locate it for an even better view.

We heard several more, both calling and singing, but didn't get another view. Maybe we would have been more persistent in trying to do so if we hadn't been so lucky early on.