Thrashers Come A-Calling

Brown Thrashers are irregular visitors to Cary BirdCam. These interesting Mimids are year round residents in my part of the Piedmont, although we are very nearly in their summer-only range. And I have evidence to suggest that Thrashers are year-round at my hospitable back yard, endowed as it is with a nice brushy section ideal for their needs. However, they check out the suet basket only at whim. In 2008 I photographed my first Thrasher with the BirdCam on April 8th and recorded them on only 11 occasions through August 14th. I have one winter photo taken on December 29th. Now they are back more often. I have seen them on several instances after a March 26th BirdCam photo was taken. I suspect I have missed several more opportunities as they (well, I am not sure how many birds) for whatever reason seem to favor the right hand, but slightly higher, suet basket which gets less BirdCam attention. They are handsome and well mannered birds and we are glad to see them – whenever they choose to visit.