I'd Rather B Birdin': Swainson's THRUSH

As I mentioned on my personal blog the other day, migration has been phenomenal these past few days! So many beautiful birds are showing up everywhere and I, at best, am trying to keep up with them. Of course, I can't. I can't be at all the hotspots at the same time.

I'll begin with one on Mustang Island called "The Willows" shown on map on the right margin [map courtesy of Google Maps]. It's a small area nestled between two condominium complexes with a small fresh water pond that is surrounded by black willow trees. About 25 miles from home, crossing the channel, Padre Island, and connecting to Mustang Island. The warblers, thrushes, grosbeaks, buntings and orioles, plus more species seem to "flock" there each Spring and Fall. And this year, tho a week or two later than normal, it is no exception. Of course, I always go early in the morning if I can. Oftentimes the population of birds and wildlife is still quiet, but I have yet to leave disappointed. For days I've been taking day trips to many other migrating stops, and I'll share a whole lot more as time passes. While I was there at the Willows recently, I spotted these:

OVENBIRD
Habitat map: Ovenbird

SWAINSON'S THRUSH
Habitat map: Thrush

WOOD THRUSH
Habitat map: Thrush

EASERN KINGBIRD
Habitat map: Kingbird

ROSE BREASTED GROSBEAK [female]
Habitat map: Grosbeak

BLUE GROSBEAK [female]
Habitat map: Grosbeak

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While out birding, one pond has dried up completely from lack of any measurable rainfall. But...happily I report the small park also has a drip system, and there is where the birds congregated for their water intake. Those birds were mostly permanent residents of South Texas but, as I was standing there in the area, watching those partake in foraging and drinking, a 'new' bird came in. It gave me an opportunity to get a photo of it before it disappeared in the dense tree growth...

From what I've read about this species, it's so closely related to the Bicknell's Thrush they were once considered the same bird. But, after much research and banding, this species is different in a few tell-tale markings AND their songs differ. Also, the Bicknell's Thrush keeps themselves mostly to the Atlantic shores in the USA, while the thrush I sighted in on has a migration path from parts of Northern South America to their breeding grounds in Canada and Alaska [going through the eastern 2/3s of Texas]. They normally remain quite 'hidden' in the brush while searching for food and berries that they are considered 'uncommon'. By bird population standards they're of least concern...

GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH
photo taken: Paradise Pond - Port Aransas, Texas
habitat map: Thrush
In comparison, the very similar Bicknell's LIMITED North American habitat map

Another Thrush I spotted at the watering hole was a Swainson's Thrush. These are identified by the size, the spots and the complete eye ring plus the eyebrow, giving them a 'bespectacled' feature. They are a common migrant throughout the USA. Also note that at first I thought it could be a Louisiana Waterthrush...but the coloration and the complete eyebrow beyond the eye ring to the back of the head, and the action of bobbing the body as it walked, was lacking.

SWAINSON'S THRUSH
photo taken: Paradise Pond - Port Aransas, Texas
habitat map: Thrush

Another to stop by while I was there was a beautiful bird...

CHESTNUT SIDED WARBLER
photo taken: Paradise Pond - Port Aransas, Texas
habitat map: Warbler

All in all, this area proved to be a good stopping ground for the few minutes I was there. Also seen were doves, grackles, tanagers, woodpeckers, grosbeaks, other warblers, buntings and even a great blue heron looking lost and as if wondering where the water in the pond went!! Other birders told me they saw an ovenbird, but I never found it before I left for another 'hotspot'.

- - -

This next stop, early in the morning hours, was quite busy. I watched and waited for an opportune time [warblers are quite a challenge to get a decent photo of them since they're in continual motion!] ---

AMERICAN REDSTART
photo taken: Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center - Port Aransas, Texas
habitat map: Redstart

BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER
photo taken: Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center - Port Aransas, Texas
habitat map: Blackburnian

BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER
photo taken: Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center - Port Aransas, Texas
habitat map: Warbler

---Even the Least Bittern was active in the hunt!

LEAST BITTERN
photos taken: Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center - Port Aransas, Texas
habitat map: Bittern

THEN!! I spotted this in the dried reed grasses near the boardwalk...

COMMON GALLINULE & family [estimated count 7 chicks]
photos taken: Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center - Port Aransas, Texas
habitat map: Gallinule

Also, as I previously posted on my personal blog last week, here is a short 56 second video of the family:
I recorded this with my phone:

Now, share your birding experiences:

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§ The Willows on Mustang Island

§ A Day in Port A

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