While Gray-cheeked vagrants are a very distinct possiblilty
and should always be looked for AND this report should be
thoroughly followed up upon and photographed, it should be
noted that Hermit Thrushes in the Pacific Northwest come in
3 color types and 3 sizes based on the subspecies.

The largest is "Audubon's" Hermit Thrush averages 7.5 to 8 inches
and is fairly gray with reduced rufous in the tail.

At the other end is "Dwarf" Hermit Thrush which runs 5 to 6 inches
and is a deep reddish brown.

In between are several subspecies which make up color and size
gradiations.

Those used to seeing Hermits in a particular part of the state
could easily mistake one of these other types for something more
exoctic.

Though we're a bit out of range to catch the really big "Audubon's"
at the Neawanna, check out the variation in those we have caught at:

http://home.pacifier.com/~neawanna/observatory/heth.html

Andy Stepniewski wrote:
>
> Tweeters,
>
> At 9:30 am this morning (4 October), while taking a break from work, I
> donned my binos to see what migrants might be in the garden (Wapato WA). The
> first fog of the fall season had just cleared and robins and Northern
> Flickers, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Cedar Waxwings, American Robins, and
> Yellow-rumped Warblers seemed everywhere in the trees. By and by I heard
> "thup" calls from thrushes, but which kind? I squeked a Hermit into a dead
> oak branch above thick brush. Seconds later another thrush popped into view,
> only 3 feet away from the Hermit, and on the same horizontal branch. It was
> distinctly larger (say 1/2 inch), with an incomplete (distal half only)
> eye-ring, plain gray-brown face, no buffish spectacles, dark brown
> upperparts (same hue as nearby Fox Sparrow upperparts), including tail.
> Below, the breast spotting was heavier and larger than the Hermit. Its
> flanks were darker gray than the nearby Hermit, also.
>
> What was most noticeable was its larger size. There is no chance for error
> due to perspective in this detail, as I was observing the Hermit at the same
> distance.
>
> I am aware of the pitfalls in identification of Catharus thrushes, so label
> this sighting as hypothetical. I will attempt to get photographers out this
> morning.
>
> Andy Stepniewski
> Wapato WA
> steppie at nwinfo.net

--
Mike Patterson
Astoria, OR
celata at pacifier.com

A child who becomes acquainted with the birds about him
hears every sound and puzzles out its meaning with a cleverness
that amazes those with ears who hear not.

-Neltje Blanchan

http://www.pacifier.com/~mpatters/bird/bird.html