Following "Norm's rule" -- that out-of-state sightings are OK as long as
they're really rare and not too far away -- this message seemed worth
passing on.

Jim Boughton
Chevy Chase

-----Original Message-----
From: Audubon birding discussion for WV
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Matt Orsie
Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 2004 12:58 AM
To: 
Subject: Varied Thrush ( out of state ) - Franklin County, PA


Hi All,
    A great bird is within a 1 hour drive from the eastern panhandle!! A

Varied Thrush has been visiting the feeders at the HQ of Caledonia State
Park in Franklin County for the past few days.

I got up real early this morning to greet it because it likes coming
first thing in the AM. The SP HQ has feeders on the right hand side of
the building. It's a good idea to watch from your car.... you stay
warmer too(:>

I was among the fortunate this morning as the bird put in it's first
appearance at 7:05AM and returned two more times before I left at
8:15AM.

Check your field guides a see how far out of the normal range this bird
is. It's typically in the Pacific Northwest region. 

Directions from the panhandle:
  I-81 North into PA and exit on Rt 30 east ( exit 16 ). 
  Go about 11-12 miles to Caledonia State Park. hang a left.
  Take the next left right to the park's HQ.

I hope you get a chance to see this beautiful bird.

For those who can't... I posted a couple of pictures at the web site
below.


Good Birding,
Matt Orsie
Summit Point, WV
Jefferson County
mailto:[log in to unmask]
web site: http://wvbirder.com