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Post by JeffOver on Jan 19, 2007 20:16:27 GMT -8
Hi all, I don't have any interesting photos to post but I do have a speculative question. Is it just me, or is there a lack of Varied Thrushes this winter?  Usually I see them often on Little Mtn, especially in this kind of weather, and I usually even get them in our backyard sometimes. This winter, however, I think I heard only a couple of them once on Little Mtn  , and that was quite a while ago. Any theories?? Jeff |
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Post by fouram on Jan 19, 2007 20:41:16 GMT -8
Jeff, Gord made a comment relating to the rarity of the V. Thrush coming right into town. I had a couple for a few days when we had that very heavy snowfall, can I assume that only heavy weather will drive them out of their normal haunts?--Al
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Post by kastern on Jan 22, 2007 11:52:53 GMT -8
I've been getting about normal numbers of Varied Thrush over here in Harrison Mills. Usually anywhere up to 4 at a time in the yard. They seemed to show up much earlier than normal this year (early October as opposed to late November) and for a while were in great numbers but that didn't last long. The most I had during the real cold and snow was 7 where a few years ago during a late blast of winter I had 27.....so maybe numbers are down a bit.
Kathy
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Post by deb&tony on Jan 22, 2007 20:41:58 GMT -8
Hi-
This topic is of interest to me out here in Hope on the north bank of the Fraser River.
Every winter we can expect to see around 6-12 v. thrushes especially when winter is a little harsher than usual as it was in November and more recently. This year I have only one solitary male that arrives every morning with the rest of our regular visitors. He has been here for the last 2 months.
I too have wondered if something has affected their numbers.
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Post by fouram on Jan 22, 2007 21:58:42 GMT -8
When I lived in Surrey in the late '70s-early 80's I had a plethora of Varied Thrush as well as a "surfeit" of Spotted Towhees- the two species, as well as A. Robins, O.Juncos and because of a planting of honeysuckle, the sounds of Hummers was everpresent. I have not been -- in an area that had as much (hidden) present species since, (with the exception of Ottawa, Ont. and environs) so, since I have seen (at my feeder in town) as many varied species as I have seen--and only as "occasionals" I have not become "aware" of what I may expect (feeding for not quite one season) so everyone here has to forgive me for my exuberance at seeing "new" species, which may be "old hat" to all of you----Al
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Post by Gord on Jan 23, 2007 15:50:25 GMT -8
I thought that varied thrushes started out about normal with areas with abnormally high numbers but I agree, it has seemed to drop off a little bit. Mind you, I havnt been out in the field very much lately.
Al, no worries about old hat species. No species is old hat here if it's new to someone else!
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Usually I see them often on Little Mtn, especially in this kind of weather, and I usually even get them in our backyard sometimes. This winter, however, I think I heard only a couple of them once on Little Mtn 
, and that was quite a while ago. Any theories??
