I don't think that there has ever been a spring, that mattered, when I didn't see at least one Hermit thrush, but I concur that seeing one in the autumn is more likely. Moreover, seeing one late in the year tends to be a more proximal sighting, when a thrush is more preoccupied with feeding than establishing territory and those nagging breeding issues that rule the brain. In other words, a fall thrush is more tolerant of photographers than a wary spring migrant. This one seems to have a rather prominent eye-ring, like a Swainson's thrush but whiter, and it doesn't have the buffy lore, and the ruddy tail is an absolute giveaway. I would like to return today for a stakeout but there is rain expected sometime this morning even though, right now, there is lots of fragmented cloud and blue sky moving in from the west that would suggest otherwise.
Someone reported and photographed a Tufted titmouse in High Park. Imagine that! If I suddenly encounter a TT, out of the blue, I'd have a stroke.
