[EBB Sightings] Backyard Varied Thrush in Alamo

I've been derelict with my feeders this winter and I finally got to  
filling them yesterday after about a month of leaving them empty.  I  
also got around to fixing my artificial pond so the water wouldn't  
leak out so quickly.  Within 24 hours, one or the other attracted a  
Varied Thrush and I spotted it picking up seeds under the feeder, then  
getting a drink from the pond.  This is only the second Varied Thrush  
I've had in the yard, though the other one spent most of the winter  
here two years ago.  Makes me wish I'd been more consistent with the  
feeders and the pond this winter. . . .

On another note, what's with the price of thistle?  Does anyone know  
of a cheap, local source or an inexpensive alternative for the finches?

Thanks and happy birding,

Steve

Alamo