Hello Everyone,

Despite not seeing the Long-billed Murrelet, it was still a grand day at
Point-No-Point. Close looks at both Marbled and Ancient Murrelets
throughout the day were tops on my list plus the assortment of
waterbirds and the good company of other birders more than made up for
the no show by our Asiatic visitor.

Regarding the possible Eye-browed Thrush, I saw the bird earlier in the
day with Vic Nelson. I had excellent views as it fed on the lawn around
the lighthouse. Structurally, the thrush did appear thinner and about
10-15% smaller than nearby robins, with overall pale plumage. There were
pale edgings on the wing feathers, especially the wing coverts, giving
the impression of very narrow pale wing bars. The throat was white
streaked black, and the chest, flanks, and upper belly were pale rufous.
The forecrown and lores were dark gray-black. The hindcrown and nape
were a pale gray. The upper back was brownish gray, whereas the rump and
tail were more of a pale gray. The back feathers had dark shafts,
making it appear indistinctly streaked. There was a definite thin
eyeline merging with a broken white eyering and extending well behind
the eye.The bill was mostly dark, but the lower mandible had extensive
yellowish-flesh.

The bird is certainly interesting but after consulting a number of Asian
field guides and Thrushes (Peter Clement et al), I'm fairly certain this
is a pale female American Robin, possibly one retaining some immature
characteristics. The underparts were too extensively rufous without a
distinct white belly. Eye-browed Thrush also lacks a black-streaked
white throat. All photos I could find of the species show a biggish
headed short tailed thrush rather different in structure to our Robin,
with color rather olive in tone especially female plumaged birds. Males
are grayer on the face and upper chest and very different looking form
the bird in question.

Another good website addressing variation in robins can be found at:
http://www.martinreid.com/Main%20website/amro.html.

I hope people continue to look for the Long-billed Murrelet. And if you
are in the area, check out the Robins. There's always a chance some of
us saw different birds.

Good birding, Alan

--
Alan J. Knue
bluejay at surfbirder.com

Seattle, WA, USA