This morning the first Varied Thrushes visited my north Everett yard - the earliest I've seen them here. Usually there is only one or maybe two mixed in with with Robin flocks during the very coldest winter days later in the year.

This morning I had a real flock of the beauties! Seven (or more) on our flat carport roof - right at eve-level. Mostly females. The roof makes a nice elevated 'forest floor' as I don't clean the leaves off it till late winter - many birds like to forage through the leaves and its mostly a cat-free zone. This is the first time I've seen Varied here without the presence of numbers of Robins.

Aside from the fact that I have a lot of trees here on our little city lot, one reason I probably get good bird visitation here in winter is because I pile all the leaves I can get on my small area of 'forest floor' - a bare ground area under deciduous trees. In fall this layer is about 6-8" thick and protects the ground from freezing somewhat. A quick dig under our usually light snow and into the leaves usually reveals lots of worms ect for birds to eat. By April the leaves have broken down and 'melted' into the earth. Slacker gardening at its finest.


Jeff Gibson, Everett Wa