While birding at Conowingo Dam yesterday, May 11, I encountered a 
Catharus thrush. The sighting was at about 10:30 AM and the lighting was 
a bright overcast, in fact, the sun came out about 5 minutes after I 
stopped observing the bird. I first assumed it was a Swainson's Thrush 
but when I did not see the buffy cheeks and breast, I thought I had a 
Gray-cheeked Thrush. I have only seen a few Gray-cheeked Thrushes, but 
always thought the back was a "cold" gray-brown. This thrush had a much 
"warmer" brown back. Thinking I could have a Bicknell's Thrush, I 
examined it closely, but I wasn't sure what I should be looking for. 
Thinking that I remembered there was something about the bill that aided 
in the ID of Bicknell's, I noted that the top mandible was dark colored 
and the lower mandible was mostly yellow, turning dark at the tip.

After I finished birding, I checked the National Geographic field guide 
which indicates that the Bicknell's has a warmer brown back and more 
yellow on the lower mandible.

I know that the ID of a non-singing Bicknell's Thrush is a tough call, 
therefore, I am not counting it. However, I am interested in other 
people's opinion as to what I saw.

Les

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Les Eastman
mailto:[log in to unmask]
Havre de Grace, MD

The eagle looked down on the river below
And he wrapped his wings round him and he fell like a stone
And the big salmon fought but the talons held true
And he shuddered as the world turned from silver to blue
                               Steve Earle