The Redwing is an Eurasian species with a breeding range that spans from the southern tip of Greenland east through Iceland, the Faeroe Islands south to northernmost Scotland, through Scandinavia, the Baltic States, northern Poland and Belarus, northern Russia and to the Kolyma of the Russian Far East. Its winter range is southern Eurasia and northern Africa. Two subspecies are recognized: Eurasian (Turdus i. iliaca) and Icelandic (Turdus i. coburni). It seems reasonable that most if not all western North American sightings are the Eurasian subspecies and those from the East are the Icelandic.
The numbers of birders steadily increased to as many as 50 or more, when the thrush was spotted on the ground in the brushy edge behind the chain link fence that formed the backdrop of the track field. Those that had their binoculars, spotting scopes and cameras on the bird barked out directions to others not yet on it. Eventually the thrush moved out onto the grass next to the track providing everyone in attendance with great views and photo opportunities. Seeing a birder without a smile was nearly as rare as the "guest" thrush. Satisfied we headed back to Vermont only to learn on eBird that a Varied Thrush (Ixoreus naevius), a bird of the Pacific Northwest, was in Merrimack, one town north of Hollis. Oh, well.
The Redwing continued to be seen off and on through March 17. Reports state, robins remain in abundance and considering there is so much habitat suitable to them (fields, lawns, brushy hedgerows, etc.) in the neighborhood, it may very well continue to be in the area. Relocating it will require perseverance, sorting through robin flocks, and of course luck.
|American Robin, left; Redwing, right.|