Bonfire Visitor

Two non-conformist Hermit Thrushes have a mysterious habit of visiting us at restoration bonfires in winter. 

Why are you here?

For years at Somme Woods, one would show up in winter around the bonfire toward the end, as the crowd drifted away. We'd never see it at any other time. 

This year, one has shown up thus at the end of our Saturday work sessions at Shaw Woods. See more about this species in All About Birds.

According to standard sources, most thrushes winter in the Amazon or Central America. But some of the Hermits may winter as far north as the Ohio River - Kentucky, Missouri, and the very south edge of Illinois. Even so, we're far north of their regular winter range. (In the summer, we're far south of their breeding grounds.)

At the bonfires, they seem quite tame. They seem to be finding insect prey uncovered and/or warmed up by our work. They also seem like kind of friendly colleagues, even if we don't know quite what their presence means. 

Acknowledgements

Thanks to All About Birds for both photos and good info.

Thanks to Eriko Kojima for proofing and edits.