I saw my first ever Townsend's Solitiare this morning on my property. It
was so beautiful outside that I ignored my grumbling stomach to see what
was out there birdwise. A bird got my attention when it landed in my dwarf
birch tree next to my koi pond, which bird's don't spend much time on this
time of year. Then it dropped down to the waterfall to get a drink. I got a
quick look before it few a short distance away. I found it again on the
ground 15' away and it didn't flush by my appearance. I wrote down very
strong white eye rings, black slender pointed bill, gray head, underbody
and back, and multi pattern of beige on primaries. A little smaller than a
robin. I didn't know what it was but figured that very distinctive
description would enable me to I.D. it and WHOLA! I looked on ebird and it
has alot of sightings in the state, but much fewer in Douglas Cty. Only 5-6
sightings recorded in the Roseburg-Sutherlin area. Made my day!
BirdJoyful,
Stacy Burleigh
Melrose, 1150'
