An ABA Area first-ever (Cuban sub-species) code 5 Red-Legged Thrush had been sporadically seen in the Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden in Key West, Florida since October, 2020. Because of Covid, I really had not thought about traveling to try to see this bird. Besides, it wasn’t going to stick around this densely forested 15 acre preserve for very long anyway. Wrong! I was surprised to discover on EBird that this strikingly beautiful thrush was still present as late as March 26th.
Thanks to Southwest Airlines, I was able to leave 40F Omaha and the land of the cranes in the morning and search for the thrush in 85F that same evening. No luck though. The fact it barely vocalizes makes it very difficult to locate this member of the Turdidae Family. It’s a relative of our American Robin.
Six hours in the Tropical Forest the following day, accompanied by birders from California, New Hampshire and Ohio yielded some interesting iguana and migrant warbler sightings but no thrush for us.
Earlier that day, Cornell’s Chris Wood…..as in the creator of EBird….had briefly seen and photographed our bird so we knew it was still present. Oh well, at least I was able to have dinner with my Miami-based daughter, Sarah.
A quick change in travel plans allowed me to spend an extra day looking for this 11”, secretive native of the Caribbean. Miami isn’t exactly next door to Key West but adrenaline from Chris’s EBird post fueled me. One of the California guys, a fellow with the third largest life-list in America, saw the fruit-eater associating with catbirds for a split second near the Butterfly Garden. Then it was gone. Three more hours elapsed and my new birding acquaintances all departed for various reasons.
It was after noon and I wondered how I was going to locate this silent bird on my own before the 4pm closing time. I decided to stay around the Butterfly Garden. A pair of cardinals caught my eye and as I raised my binoculars to check for a nest, I saw a dark shape move high in the tree behind them. I moved my eyepiece to the dark shape and a white throat jumped out at me. Unmistakeable it was the RED-LEGGED THRUSH!
I was able to make it back to Miami in time to have another dinner with Sarah. This has been an incredibly satisfying fun-filled Spring break. And it’s only Wednesday!
birdtalesblog 
GW….. you are inspiring!
Thanks Norm! Outdoor tennis soon:)
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Happy April migration brother Joe!
Way to go Woody!! excellent photo
Cheers Mike! And now it’s migration time for us. Can’t wait to see what comes our way. Stay well. G
Congratulations GW! Great picture.
Brad Barrett brad.barrett56@gmail.com (650) 888-2212 (mobile)
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So glad I spent another day….phew!
I am not a birder, George, but really enjoy your bird adventures. Especially the black neck crane!
DBW
Thanks D, heckuva last 5 days. Ninevah tomorrow! Xxx
Wow! And I’ll say it again, wow! But why am I not surprised!? You are clearly the subject of the big year sequel.
Hi Jill! Good to read you. Preparing for WH talk (and the vaccinations) clearly motivated me to head out into the field. THANKS again to you and the Barrett’s for inspiring me. GCW
A red legged thrush — wow. The best sightings seem to appear in the last few minutes of a days long stake-out. Nicely done!
Hi Joe! Yes, very satisfying. First time really away in 13 months. Fun to see 🇺🇸 again. And the birds:)
Of course you saw it! Sarah must have been the good luck charm you needed/wanted. Go GCW’75!
Exactly! Hope you’re having a relaxing break.
Congratulations on another one George. How exciting for you!
Thanks Deborah! Exciting to see the USA again. Hope all’s well with you and Family.
Yesssss! (Bodes well for the Fightin Phils today, Woody!!)
Yessss! So glad it’s baseball season. Gonna be interesting….
Wow!! And I love the iguana.
George – can you delete Tiscali email and change me to the Wendy321 gmail address ? Or do I need to do it ?!
Wendy x
Sent from my iPhone Wendy Russell 10 Via Summa Santa Fe, NM 87507 USA
+1-856-834-4159
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Hi Wendy! Santa Fe? Lucky you. Thanks for corresponding. It would be fun to see you if you visit NJ. Xxx, George