Relocating!

  I recently wrote about the disoriented mockingbirds that are insisting on waiting until the wisteria arbor is rebuilt before nesting and here I find another displaced bird family.  The brown thrashers usually nest near the shoreline of the Bayou east of the house.  There have been two spots there that were favorites for the past couple of years.  Since these birds choose sites that are relatively close to the ground, it made it easy for me to keep tabs on the eggs and baby birds.  So far, my hikes to that area have not let me find any nests.  I was a bit distraught because I really like the brown thrashers.  Once they become familiar with you, the thrashers are very sociable.  They do not seem to mind me eyeing their nest and are not quick to take flight when I am around.  Plus!  Their singing puts the ever heralded mockingbird to shame!  In fact, folks often confuse the two birds when they hear the cheerful singing.  Both birds have a lengthy and similar repertoires.  To distinguish one from the other, listen to the pattern.  A brown thrasher repeats its trills twice compared to the mockingbird's triple repeat.

  I hunted every day for the nest of the brown thrasher but to no avail.  I was beginning to think that my birds had met their demise in some cruel act of fate.  Saddened by the thought of not having them around, I headed to the pier to contemplate life without their cheerful song.  Then, with the first step on the pier, I saw a friendly face.  There, within an arm's reach, sat Papa Thrasher!  He eyed me and made a slight move to a nearby bush but never left.  Ahh, Mama Thrasher must be nesting nearby.  I searched a bit but could not find the nest.  I am sure she is close but since this is egg-laying time, I did not want to disturb her.  My hunt could continue later.  I bid Papa Thrasher "Good day!" and left him to guarding his ladylove.