[va-bird] Gray-cheeked/ Bicknell's Thrush

These are definitely a challenge for me, so I thought I'd share what I  
learned last week.

First, this site has the Bicknell's song and several calls, photos, and  
lots of information. (My CDs don't have Bicknell's)

http://www.ns.ec.gc.ca/wildlife/bicknells_thrush/e/audio.html

Second, White Oaks Park lived up to it's reputation of having lots of  
Thrushes. I had a smallish, brownish bird with no discernible eye-ring,  
but giving a low, liquid call. The call made it a Swainson's, I later  
decided, despite the appearance.
An hour later a Thrush flew up to a bare branch just 20 feet away and  
perched at a rear quartering view, showing a light underside with a  
spotted breast and a little throat marking, but what was really striking  
was the overall light gray coloring. As it turned its head the cheeks were  
gray, but no more than the rest of the upperside. Unbelievably, a  
Swainson's Thrush flew up and perched two feet past the (hoped for)  
Gray-cheeked, at a front quartering view, and I had both birds in the same  
glass, close up, for the better part of a minute. All the field marks were  
good and I'm sure the Gray-cheeked was right, but my point is that the  
overall differences in coloring and appearance were more striking than the  
particular field marks.

Third, I'm giving up on this 300 birds in a year thing. I was in over my  
head from the git go, and I'm pooped. I'm in awe of the big years that  
others have had.

Good birding to all, and have fun. It's certainly the most intriguing,  
challenging, and rewarding puzzle that one can try to work out.

John Fox
Arlington

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