Was that a Brown Thrasher?

Field Notes

Tuesday April 27, 2021

Conestoga Lake State Recreation Area (Army Corp of Engineers Entrance)

The Woods.

I arrived at around 11:00am. There were a few anglers out fishing on the lake. I tend to avoid people for pandemic reasons, but also for personal reasons. I am kind and say hello but I generally keep it moving.

Birding for me is an escape, a time to admire Divine Creation, a time to be with God and push my Angel son’s Spirit forward.
me

So I entered the area where a brush pile is surrounded by forest. It is here that I often see many #AmericanRobins #RedWingedBlackbirds #CommonGrackles out in about. They are the more conspicuous.

But on this day I saw what appeared to be #BrownThrashers being very skulky. That chestnut brown color is unmistakable. The last time I saw #BrownThrashers were in North Carolina at my parent’s house in March. They weren’t so skulky there.

Brown Thrasher at my parent’s house in Laurinburg, N.C. (March 12, 2021)

So I was delighted that the Brown Thrasher had returned to the Midwest. I dropped some birdseed down to encourage curiosity and walked another mile through the area along the lake.

When I returned I saw the Brown Thrashers again but they quickly flew back into the forest. Hmmm. This would take some coaxing. So I remained very still and sat down on the ground and began observing all the sounds of birdsong.

I said a prayer. I said “God, where did the Brown Thrashers go?” Then I whispered to my son’s spirit, “Ricky, where is the Brown Thrasher?” I paused.

I got up and walked closer to the forest edge. I began whistling like a chickadee. I then heard more birdsong.

Were they coming? Were the Brown Thrashers coming?”

And then at that moment I saw the #WarblingVireo. It remained long enough for me to catch several pictures. Then out came the #YellowWarbler who also allowed me to photograph. And then a group of Lady Red Winged Blackbirds came.

Wow I thought to myself.

I would find out from a senior ebirder that the Yellow Warbler sighting was the first for Lancaster County, Nebraska. I felt very grateful!