Hi, all.

I took a short early walk today on Hollins Lane (the lane off Falls Road
leading into the section Robert E. Lee Park we often call the "Pine Flats").
There, by the parking lot near Falls Road, I heard a Gray-cheeked Thrush.
This is only the second time in my life I have heard one. I saw the bird
eventually, and I noted its cold, olive coloration with no hint of red on
the tail or back, the large amount of the bill (over half) that was black,
the lack of eye ring and the faint striations of gray on the gray cheek. (I
made no observation about primary projection.) Even though it looked like a
Gray-cheeked, I was still glad to hear the song, with its downward slurring
final notes pointing to Gray-cheeked rather than Bicknell's.

Just a few warblers - Pine (4) Ovenbird (2), Magnolia (1) and Hooded (1).

A cooperative Scarlet Tanager also provided a happy moment.


Don Burggraf
Baltimore


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