Hi all, I have always believed horrible weather can provide some of the most memorable birding opportunities. Bob's Kittiwake today is a perfect example. With that in mind, and a Kittiwake under my belt, I decided to go to the Lab and look for thrushes. I thought the trails would be empty in the pouring rain so I wasn't surprised to be the only wet person out there. I walked the spur trail, from the parking lot, to the Hoyt-Pileated trail, Woodleton Boardwalk, East Trail to the pond then back over SSW road to the Wilson Trail, Podell Boardwalk to the Lab. The spur trail afforded me nice looks at a hopping SWAINSON'S THRUSH and ROBINS. H-Pileated Trail gave up a perched HERMIT and feeding WOOD THRUSH. Over the Woodleton Boardwalk to East Trail, ( thrush alley ), I had a nice view of a GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH and another WOOD THRUSH. I had been hearing Veery and as I crossed the road onto Wilson Trail I had my first look at a VEERY along with another WOOD THRUSH. Of course Robins were an ever present companion. All the thrushes seem skittish as they can be, but the fact that walkers hadn't been spooking them from the trail gave me more chances to see them in the open. This is by far the most complete visual thrush experience I've ever had. The fact that I missed Bluebird, and the more exotic thrushes, doesn't diminish the enjoyment of what I call my minor thrush sweep.
Gary -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --