Hi Tweets,

This afternoon, 12/20, I observed what I am 95% sure was a Redwing, Turdus
iliacus, the Eurasian thrush, near my house in Olympia (108 Rogers St NW).
I first saw it perched (front view only) about 3 pm in a leafless tree in
the alley behind my house. There were numerous American Robins and
Starlings actively feeding in the area and the bird was loosely associating
with the Robins. It was clearly a thrush in form and had nicely defined
spots to the center of its breast forming a slight V-pattern (fewer spots in
the center). It flew before I could get out there with my binos, but I
spent the remaining daylight hours slowly walking the streets and alleys in
the immediate vicinity of my house on Olympia's west side. I relocated the
bird at about 4:15 pm across 4th street from the alley where it was first
seen. It was near the top of a tree in the yard of the house at the corner
Percival St and Fourth Ave (clearly visible from the sidewalk). I studied
the bird for about three minutes from below and off to the side from about
20 yards. It had a strong face pattern, with a bold tannish supercilium and
white moustach line that hooked distinctly towards the nape at the bottom of
the throat. The breast was spotted down the flank and there was a distinct
orange-reddish wash along the entire breast bordering the wing. The bird
was notably smaller and had a relatively shorter tail than the Robins nearby
in same tree. When it flew away quickly, I unfortunately did not get a look
at wing linings. I could not relocate it before dark.

I've seen this species once before, this past April in Ireland, and am not
sure what else it could have been. I will look for it again at daybreak.
Anyone may call my cell (360-870-4950) if you're interested in more details
(or helping in the search).

Good birding and happy holidays!

Gene Revelas
grevelas at integral-corp.com
Olympia, WA