I've lived in several locations in the South and Southeast US most of my life and the Brown Thrasher has been a common sight. I moved to Northwest Arkansas 23 years ago had the climate here was a little cold for them. I typically spend over 200 hours a year in the field and while I've seen some rather unique wildlife and birds, no Brown Thrashers. This last weekend I started seeing a couple and I figure they are a nesting pair. I guess the climate is beginning to warm some.