Michael Sanchez, a 41-year-old amateur photographer from Vancouver, Washington, traveled to northwest Oregon recently to photograph waterfalls, not birds. He believed that Hug Point's scenic beauty along the North Pacific Ocean coast would provide an ideal backdrop for his photography practice. One morning, while waiting for the sunrise to illuminate the cliffs, he noticed a small bird nearby, initially mistaking it for a common blackbird. Sanchez decided to use it as a subject for his photography practice and took several photos before returning home to Washington.
Upon reviewing his photos, Sanchez realized that the bird he had photographed was no ordinary blackbird. Its striking blue and chestnut colors puzzled him, leading him to seek help from avian experts on Facebook to identify the species. To his surprise, he learned that he had captured a rare bird, likely a blue rock thrush, native to Europe and Asia and rarely seen in North America.
Sanchez's photos, taken on April 21 at Hug Point State Recreation Site in Seaside, Oregon, caused a stir among bird enthusiasts. Despite not being a birder himself, Sanchez's discovery amazed the birding community. The American Birding Association shared his photos, generating excitement and prompting other birders to visit Hug Point in search of the rare thrush.
Experts believe that Sanchez's find will be confirmed as a blue rock thrush, making it an exceptionally rare discovery. While a blue rock thrush was previously spotted in British Columbia in 1997, there are no records of such a bird in the United States. The rarity of the sighting has sparked speculation among birders about how the bird ended up in Oregon, with theories ranging from accidental migration to being lost at sea and hitching a ride on a boat.
The excitement surrounding Sanchez's find has inspired him to explore bird photography further. While he acknowledges that spotting something as rare as the blue rock thrush is unlikely to happen again, he is eager to continue honing his photography skills and capturing the beauty of nature.