On Sat, 27 Jan 1996, Arlene Sopranzetti wrote:

> Today amongst the beautiful white snow I had a pair of Varied Thrushes
> in my backyard. I put out birdseed, apple slices, and raisins but they
> were more interested in scratching around the base of a pine tree. I
> was treated to many long looks and a couple of photographs.

I use peanut butter in my suet cake and the Varied Thrushes love it.
In my experience, they are not interested in suet mixtures without pb.
Yesterday, I put a substantial perch by the suet cages, and the VATHs found
them immediately. The Steller's Jays found them this morning, but I think I
have a way around those piggies: Varied Thrushes are out before dawn, so if I
fill the cage the night before, the VATHs will have a two or three hour
head start on the Jays who are the last species to show each morning in my
yard.

Beth McKinnon
bethl at nethost.multnomah.lib.or.us
Estacada, OR