One of the first things I do every morning is check my backyard for guests…usually birds. I have my regular visitors. Within an hour of first checking I have an average of ten “regular” species: House Sparrow, House Finch, Eurasian Collared Dove, Northern Flicker, Dark-eyed Junco, American Robin, Western Scrub Jay, California Quail, European Starling, and American Crow. I have two Spotted Towhees that hang out, a Song Sparrow makes occasional visits, Mourning Doves and Cedar Waxwings stopped by fairly often, and I’ve even had a Fox Sparrow every now and then.
Yesterday was a rainy, slushy, drizzly, drab day. While spying on my guests I was surprised to see a Varied Thrush! I took photos but the lighting was dismal and the photos were rather grainy…but you could tell who it was.
Today was sunshiny and clear out. While filling the feeders and dumping the compost I startled my visiting Varied Thrush into a tree and it stayed and posed just long enough for me to snap a few quick photos. I’m hoping it decides to come back tomorrow for a quick bite and maybe hang out and visit for a while!
