One of the birders who came to see the Varied Thrush in our yard was Jeff Reiter. Jeff writes a birding column for The Daily Herald, the leading newspaper in the Chicago suburbs. Today’s column was about seeing the Varied Thrush, which happened to be the 500th bird species he has watched – an important milestone. He was kind enough to mention and quote from Gardeninacity. The column is here.
Varied Thrush
What a nice honor for you and your Varied Thrush. Cute photo too. I enjoyed the article and having a few rare birds in my own yard, I can appreciate you getting the attention. I know I could publish my address for birders to see the white and golden sparrow family, but did not want people coming to my small yard. I applaud you for doing so. The white sparrow came back too and I saw it with its mate (regular House Sparrow). I hope to see another family this year.
I totally understand not wanting strangers peering into your yard. It can sometimes get tiring. It’s one of those personal preference issues. For me, on balance it was better to let the people come.
I see that in winter you also have not gone …
Lovely bird. In my country, not found.
I send greetings to you.
Lucia
Thanks, Lucia, greetings to you as well.
Awesome
. Congratulations. You know a very similar type of bird appeared in my backyard. I think I asked you also about it. It’s beak was exactly like that, the body structure but the breast was much more yellowish-brownish (dirty looking color), not like yours. It came, looked at the feeder and went away, never to come again.
Yes, I remember that. I couldn’t figure out what that might be. Maybe he will come back.
So exciting!!!! What an adventure this has been!
Yes, it definitely has been.
Congratulations! How thrilling! That little bird picked just the right place to nest. It really is pretty. I hope it returns to your garden every year!
That would be great. And if it returned with a mate, that would cause even more intense excitement.
Wow! Time to start selling those t-shirts!! I do hope this bird appreciates all the attention and returns next year.
I hope so, too. I hope to have the Action Figures ready for when he does.
Nice mention Jason! The varied thrush has been a great reward for the countless hours of work to make your yard a bird-friendly habitat. (Now please take up the banner against feral cats!)
I’m with you on feral cats, though my own family has shouted me down on that subject.
Jason!!! That is wonderful!!!! How super cool is that! I will jump over and read the article now!
Thanks, Nicole! Hope you enjoy the article.
Oh, my! You have a Varied Thrush in your yard? I am sooooo envious!
This makes up a bit for all those gorgeous butterflies in your yard during the winter.
What a nice article! Is the bird still around? Sounds like you need to get ready for another round of bird paparazzi.
Yes, he is still around. We only had a few birders though.
How fun! And it’s a great article, too. Obviously, the birders and the newspaper columnist appreciated your hospitality. I think that varied thrush picked just the right hosts for his winter wanderings!
It’s been a fun experience. I hope he returns next year.
Great news, Jason! And thanks for the link to Jeff’s column. I may have been vaguely aware of it but now I’ll try to read it more often. It’s funny how the birding community goes and grows. As Jeff Reiter pointed out, the Varied Thrush couldn’t have picked a better backyard to hang out in.
Before this I wasn’t really aware that there was a birding community, but it seems to be made up of very nice people.
I have found birdwatchers/birders to be a generally amicable group, although that could be by association. But I think it’s the birds, and whatever observing them does to make us take leave of ourselves and our problems once we pick up the binoculars. When I got into meditation years ago I thought that if everybody meditated there would be no more wars, but except for the competitiveness of “listers,” I could say the same about birding.
It’s always nice to be mentioned in print other than the poilice blotter! What a lovely article about your famous guest and your hospitality!
Well, as you would say, B-B-B-Bird is the Word!
Congratulations! You’re famous!
I am a bird-based, but I hope not bird-brained, celebrity. Within a very small circle.
How exciting and what an unusual name for a bird – it sounds like it changes its plumage to suit
It is an odd name. I do wonder why it is called varied.
How cool is that and how nice are you! Great story.
I wouldn’t be where I am today without my varied thrush.
A very handsome bird, nothing at all like our song thrush or mistle thrush. I am always surprised how many different varieties of birds go under the same heading on different continents.
It seems odd that Europe and North America do not have more birds in common.
Congratulations, Jason. It’s almost like having the queen for tea in your garden
.
A queen dressed in orange and black.
Oh! I don’t know that bird but he is lovely!
He is unusually handsome. Orange and black is a dramatic combo.