Martyn,

A Swainson's Thrush in March would be extremely unusual. Gene Hunn, in
"Birding in Seattle and King County" (1982) indicates that the main
arrival of Swainson's Thrush is in May, with only a few appearing in
late April, and none in March. Where I live, around Vancouver, B.C.,
the average spring arrival date over 28 years for Swainson's Thrush is
May 6, and the earliest record ever is April 16. In addition,
Swainson's Thrushes usually do not begin singing until a week or two
after they arrive on their territories, or about May 20 in our area.

You did not indicate whether or not you saw the bird, or only heard
it. I have heard Starlings give some very credible imitations of a
Swainson's Thrush song. Could it be that perhaps you heard a Starling
imitation rather than a real Swainson's Thrush? This is one sighting
for which some visual confirmation would definitely be helpful.


Wayne C. Weber
Delta, BC
contopus at telus.net




----- Original Message -----
From: Martyn Stewart <mstew at naturesound.org>
To: 'Tweeters' <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Sunday, March 21, 2004 4:00 PM
Subject: Swainson's Thrush & State park Issaquah


> I got my first Swainson's thrush of the season this afternoon at
State Park
> Issaquah, beautiful haunting spiral sound!
>
> The herons are doing well on the building with maybe 5 to 6 more
nests than
> last year; I counted 41 herons in the Heronry :-)
>
> Tree swallows in abundance, no willow flycatchers yet or common
> yellowthroats but after today's sunshine, the dorsal tones will soon
be with
> us :-)
>
>
>
>
>
> Martyn
>