Re: [SBB] Varied Thrush

HI All,

To weigh in on this subject for a moment, from what I've seen, it's true: we have a LOT of Varied Thrushes around the region this fall. On my comute from Pescadero-Los Altos Hills, there is an 11-mile section of prime VATH habitat which I habitually "survey" whenever I drive that way at dawn.

High counts over the past few winters have ranged from 25 to 62 VATH along the road edge (why is this species drawn so powerfully to the sides of roads, anyway?) However, one memorable winter day, 6 or 7 years ago I believe, I counted 204 individuals, sometimes in flocks as large as 40+ birds! (I never could persuade Cornell's e-bird program to accept this number - they felt it was unrealistically high).

Well, today (11/29/2006) was a similar day. I had 175 individuals on the stretch of San Mateo County roads from the Portola State Park/Alpine Rd. intersection to 1 mile west of Loma Mar on Pescadero Road. 101 of these were along the 1/2 mile from Loma Mar west at 6:50 AM. Many, many more individuals flew off away from my view before I could feel certain of their species, so I suspect the presence of a far higher number.

Best regards,

Garth Harwood

----- Original Message -----

From: Matthew O'Brien

To: [[email protected]]

Sent: Friday, November 24, 2006 3:08 PM

Subject: [SBB] Varied Thrush

Having read reports of above-normal sightings of Varied Thrush in the region, my wife Margie and I were treated to two Varied Thrushes in a large maple tree in our backyard this morning. This adds another new yard bird to our list, being the first in the 20 years in which we've lived in our home at the eastern end of Milpitas just below the foothills. Our back yard adjoins Piedmont Road.

Matthew O'Brien

Milpitas

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References:
	>[SBB] Varied Thrush (From: "Matthew O'Brien" <[[email protected]]>)