This year we've had an influx of birds. I think the reason is that we have a number of shrubs that are maturing and starting to produce more and more fruit. We don't have a feeder filled at all, just filling up the bird bath. I counted 7 robins yesterday and there's at least one pair of catbirds, and an oriole stopped by the other day. All of them are hanging around the vegetable garden and bird bath. I was watching them with the binoculars this morning and the catbird pair was hopping in and out of the patch of Cilantro, pecking away at what I imagine are insects. Same pair was having a good time all around the cabbage plants. I don't have any seedlings per se to damage, and I'd be surprised if they were doing more than just looking for insects. My only concern is the droppings that are showing up on the foliage of some of the plants.

I don't see as many of them as I used to, what with the industries trying to build out on the farmland, but still see a few each year. For a bird who seems to prefer the wood's edge, they have a particular penchant for getting into dwellings. I have rescued more than one before the house cats got to them. God only know how they get in. They're beautiful, graceful birds.

Very nice! I saw my first Brown Thrasher of the season on April 16, and the first catbird on May 2, so there was about a two week delay. I'm in southeast MA. Thrashers bred here last year, but I didn't see them most of the time. The catbirds, on the other hand, are in my face every day eating grape jam. Claire

Dear Thomas - I wonder if it was not a hermit thrush - they winter in your area. Look for a rusty red tail, gray -brown body and black streaks on the throat. Check the link below. Tucker Here is a link that might be useful: Hermit thrush