Thrush Love

J. Drew Lanham

In an attempt to make my worn suburban surroundings more thrush-philic I’ve let things go past “maintenance.” Let things grow beyond containers or neat bed borders.

Opened the door to what some would call “weeds.”

Welcomed all feathered things olive-backed and skulky.

Rolled out a welcome mat of disarray. Made glimpses of pieces and parts of what might be, the priority.

I’ve let the dank rank higher than bright. Encouraged shadows to persist at all hours.

Let snails have right of way. Asked the olive-backed birds if warblers and other night travelers might find such an ill-kempt place to their liking. Ferns, four-o’clocks, sumac, poke salad and yes even un-American things like privet find function here, so long as the trans-gulf travelers approve. Gray cheeked-esque, Swainsonii-like or wood-ishness not withstanding, Could a Bicknell find my spot inviting? But then I would only know if it chose to speak. My goal in enhancing thrushiness has not been to increase any lists, but more simple want, desire wish.

To be a spot on the map below starlit transit, that by dawn is worthy of a pause to snatch a nap’s wink or late worm.

A link in some chain of a chance to make it further South to perhaps return again.

Jorge Hernando Osorio lives along the basin of the Río Chinchiná in a small Colombian village between Medellín and Bogotá. With his wife Gladys Patiño, he founded a bird observation group called “Espigueros, Guardianes de los Torrentes” (“Seedeaters, Guardians of the Torrents”). Their activities are supported through the Paisajes Sostenibles (Sustainable Landscapes) project (PASOS), a multi-partner initiative that includes ABC, VivoCuenca, the Caldas Department Coffee Producer Committee, Ecological Coffee Foundation, and the Caldas Hydroelectric Company (CHEC). This is Jorge’s story, in his own words:

I now work in this area dedicated to observing birds, at a moment when there is a real passion for birdwatching. I have worked in artisanal river-sand mining for many years, and throughout this time, I have always been observing birds and learning about them.

My passion for birds started around five years ago, after I had the opportunity to meet some people down by the river. They were watching Torrent Ducks. After they told me they were down here just to observe birds, I wanted to learn how to identify different species, too.

Along the way, I have learned that by knowing how to watch and identify birds, the community can understand how to value, care for, and protect the species, many of them imperiled, in our areas.

I also work with the young ones, helping them make a connection with nature. It’s important that the community know about the protection of the environment. When we don’t know, at times we harm through ignorance the very important species we have in our areas.

I also work with community nurseries of the PASOS project. The majority of plants we grow and plant are native trees that benefit wildlife, including parrots, tanagers, hummingbirds, and migratory species. The “sustainable landscape” is how you recuperate what had been lost. We can all be an important part of this.

Award-winning watercolor painter Beatriz Benavente lives in Spain, where she specializes in scientific and bird illustration. You can follow her on Instagram: www.instagram.com/wildstories.art