Mike, If you had read all of my letter you would have noted I heard his song,
and was not going by any call note. No starling is that good at songs, unless
someone isn't musically inclined, or has poor hearing. I am
not out for arguments, or setting any records, only stating what I
heard...vicki biltz bonney lake sawwhet85b at netscape.net
Michael Patterson wrote;
It is probably imprudent to identify Swainson's Thrush this
early in the season by call note alone. There are several
imitators out there including Song Sparrow (the final note
of the song in some indivuals is a ventriloquial "wook" that
can fool people), Bewick's Wren (all sorts of "wooky " bits).
Starlings (the source of many spring flase starts).


The phenology for Clatsop Co. OR based mostly on captured
individuals at migration points is:
1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993
1994 AVG ARRIVAL
THRUSH,SWAINS MAY-14 MAY-21 MAY-22 MAY-26 MAY 10 MAY-15
MAY-21 MAY-18

The rule of thumb for first migrant detection in: see the
bird.

vicki biltz wrote:
>
> Russell Rogers wrote:
> Hi Vicki I have only 6 records of SWTH prior to May first. Which are;
> 4/4/99 Skagit WMA Skagit 4/9/95 Ridgefield NWR Clark 4/14/99 Ocean
> Shores Grays Harbor 4/21/99 Naselle Pacific 4/27/97 Lake Stevens
> Snohomish 4/28/96 Lake Stevens Snohomish Considering the mild spring
> and winter, I would not be suprised if it were an early SWTH. Talk to
> you later, Russell vicki biltz wrote: Scott Downs said his earliest
> swainsons record is April 24th, at Kingston. Do you have any records
> on this birds earliest arrival; I am suprised to say the least, to
> have heard him this early, and I don't know if he will stick around;
> or if he is just passing through.... thankyou for your input. ( It
> was his song not any call note). Vicki Biltz Bonney Lake Wa
> sawwhet85b at netscape.net
>
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--
Mike Patterson
Expounder of Scientific Wisdom
Astoria High School, Astoria OR
http://columbia-pacific.interrain.org/ahscience/

"The thing I like best about God
is not truth or beauty, but irony..."
from the play Hapwood by Tom Stoppard


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