Having just had a 'straight' Grey-cheeked Thrush bathing in my pond this
morning, I was reminded of another 'non-straight' one I saw on May 13 - all in
Annandale, Fairfax County.
The May 13 bird got me all excited initially as it had a distinctly reddish
tail. However, when I looked at the bill, the lower portion was about 50% dark
(tip) and 50% yellow. In the absence of any vocalization, I assumed -
perhaps incorrectly - that the probability was that this was the Newfoundland
race
of Grey-cheeked rather than Bicknell's (most of which apparently have much
more yellow on the lower mandible). Anyway, I did not feel comfortable in c
alling this my first Bicknell's in Virginia, despite the fact that quite a few
have been spotted by others this season.
Stephen Eccles
**************Get trade secrets for amazing burgers. Watch "Cooking with
Tyler Florence" on AOL Food.
(http://food.aol.com/tyler-florence?video=4&?NCID=aolfod00030000000002)
