Catalina State Park

Spring is in the air, and the birds are, too. A few morning hours at Catalina State Park found the roadsides lined with Western Bluebirds and White-crowned Sparrows, and the water flowing down Sutherland Wash was a source of obvious delight to many Lawrence’s Goldfinches and a Townsend’s Solitaire; just standing in the wash and watching produced nearly 40 species.

Both of Catalina’s famous specialties were conspicuous, Rufous-winged Sparrows singing all over the place and often giving good views. And a fine Crissal Thrasher perched up to preen and sing just before noon; this is a tough bird to see any time of day, but this one had no objection to the admiration we heaped on it.