Oops, I got so excited about the widespread RCKI migration that I forgot to mention the another fall phenomenon. Varied Thrush are visible again. While some are here(Kootenay Lake edge) year round, they are much more secretive and invisible over the summer. Suddenly in the fall they appear again.
Both of the two that I have seen in the last week are quite pale, especially the orange portions of their plumage. What does this paleness indicate ? Am I seeing just local migration(elevation and habitat shifts) or are some of these birds moving through to other areas ?
Cheers
Gail Spitler
Johnsons Landing, BC
gspitler at awinc.com