Field Notes — 13 June 2026
An elderberry in the bill — Swainson’s Thrushes eat insects, berries, and soft fruits.
Swainson's Thrush is often found on ripe Elderberry bushes
Tucked among the elderberry, where the ripening fruit will soon feed the southbound migration.
Swainson's Thrush Catharus ustulatus Declining
Nisqually NWR · South Puget Sound · June
An elderberry in the bill — Swainson’s Thrushes eat insects, berries, and soft fruits.
Photographed from the public boardwalk, undisturbed.
Swainson's Thrush Catharus ustulatus Declining
Nisqually NWR · South Puget Sound · June
Swainson's Thrush is often found on ripe Elderberry bushes
Photographed from the public trail, undisturbed.
Swainson's Thrush Catharus ustulatus Declining
Nisqually NWR · South Puget Sound · June
Tucked among the elderberry, where the ripening fruit will soon feed the southbound migration.
Photographed from the public trail, undisturbed.
Swainson's Thrush Catharus ustulatus Declining
Nisqually NWR · South Puget Sound · June
Photographed from the public boardwalk, undisturbed.
A Thrush That Sings the Day Down
Identified so often by their beautiful song spiraling through the trees — but usually so difficult to see.
Swainson’s Thrush are identified so often this time of year by their beautiful song spiraling through the trees, but are usually difficult to see. I was so happy to be able to photograph them recently at Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge.
They migrate thousands of miles from Central America, arriving in WA state in May. They have an omnivorous diet of insects, berries and soft fruits.
So wonderful to have them here, filling our forests with their flute-like songs!
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