Hermit Thrush
 05-25-14.jpg?w=1024 "Hermit Thrush Nest by chloesview is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0")
The Hermit Thrush was first recorded at Salter Grove in January 2020, where it was photographed perched on a leafless gray birch along the causeway. Since then, it has been reported a handful of times during spring migration along the wooded portions of the Upland and Audubon Trails.
It is the only thrush likely to winter in the region. However, even in the absence of foliage, it is not the easiest bird to spot because it prefers to stay within thick brush where its brown plumage renders it inconspicuous.
Despite a light-colored breast marked with large dark spots and a reddish tail, its overall brown plumage blends into the forest floor where it forages for insects quietly, turning over leaf litter or shaking grass blades with its feet. Unlike other thrushes it often flicks its wing and tail, and may raise its tail quickly upon landing on a branch, only to lower it slowly again.
The Hermit Thrush breeds in coniferous and mixed forests across North America, spanning Canada, southern Alaska, and the northeastern and western United States. Interestingly, populations east of the Rocky Mountains tend to build nests on the ground whereas those to the west prefer to place nests in trees. its eggs are similar in color to those of the more familiar American Robin, also a member of the thrush family.
Some Hermit Thrushes may travel as far south as Mexico to spend the winter months. Although primarily insectivorous while breeding, their winter diet includes berries, fruits and the occasional small lizard.