Wood Thrush

Status Rare vagrant. One breeding record. Reports of the Wood Thrush in the nineteenth-century literature seem to represent confusion with the Veery. The first bird recorded in modern times was a singing male at Sable River, Shelburne County, on 31 May 1954 (H.F. Lewis). Since then it has been a regular visitor, annual since 1968. There have been 43 reports of some 75 birds in spring, between 22 April and 20 June. Most have been along the Southwestern Shore and its islands (up to 15 on Seal Island on 9-11 May 1975), with a few on Sable Island and in Annapolis, Kings and Halifax counties, and one in Guysborough County. A few of these have been at least temporarily resident singing males, and on 15 May 1973 a nest was discovered in Kejimkujik National Park by Davis Finch and Rick Howie. A bird at Paradise, Annapolis County, on 19 July 1981 may have summered locally. There have been only 12 reports of 13 fall migrants and stragglers between 11 August and 22 November. Another attended the feeder of Vera and Edwin Sollows in Yarmouth from 17 November 1967 to 7 January 1968, when it died during a cold spell.

Remarks It can be readily distinguished from our regular thrushes--the Hermit, Graycheeked and Swainson's Thrushes and the Veery--by noting the pattern of its plumage. This bird's white breast and underparts are boldly marked with large rounded spots of dark brown or black, which contrast sharply with the more delicately marked grayish or buffy white breasts of the others. The Wood Thrush, like a number of other southerners, appears to be extending its range northward. As a songster it is regarded as one of the top performers, and it is hoped that it will come to Nova Scotia in increasing numbers.