Townsend’s Solitaire at Boerner Botanical Gardens in Hales Corner in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on December 16, 2019

A Townsend’s Solitaire, a rare visitor was recently reported at the Boerner Botanical Gardens. I thought with birding slow in general it was a good opportunity check for this one. After about 2 1/2 hours the Townsend’s Solitaire came out of no where from the west and dropped into a small berry tree. It ate a few berries, maybe 3-4 quickly and perched at the top of a large deciduous tree. It repeated this twice and then a Red-tailed Hawk flew near the area and the Townsend’s Solitaire disappeared.  I hung around for a few more minutes and left the area. It was a gloomy morning, a good breeze and temps in the low 20’s, making feel like December weather. Images were taken on December 16, 2019.

Townsend’s Solitaire

Binomial name: Myadestes townsendi

Category: Thrushes

Size: 8.5” long, 14.5” wingspan

Weight: 1.2 Oz.

Note: What makes this bird a rare visitor? The normal range for the Townsend’s Solitaire is mountainous regions in the western US.