Sage Thrasher. Photo by Kanae Hirabayashi.

A Sage Thrasher (Oreoscoptes montanus) was discovered at Montrose on Saturday, October 29 by local birder and nature photographer Rob Curtis. The bird was still present the next day, much to the delight of those who couldn’t make it to Montrose on Saturday. This is a NEW species for Montrose, number 334. Sage Thrashers are found in the western United States but occasionally wander to the eastern United States, particularly in the fall. This is about the 6th record for Illinois. The photo at left was taken by my good friend Kanae Hirabayashi. October, or Rocktober as I like to call it, rarely disappoints.

For a complete list of the birds seen at Montrose, see the Montrose List.