The Eurasian thrush, called a redwing, had never been seen before in western North America. The bird typically spends its winters in southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.

This bird definitely is a long way from home.

In recent weeks, it has been spotted regularly hanging out with a flock of robins on lawns and holly trees around Rogers and Decatur streets near Fourth and Fifth avenues.

This is a really big deal for bird-watchers, especially those who maintain a list of every species they have ever seen.

It's a chance for a South Sounder to add to his or her life list without traveling thousands of miles overseas to see the species Turdus iliacus.

And it's a chance for nonbirders to peer into the world of bird-watching and perhaps get hooked on a hobby that is constantly gaining new recruits.

Novices who come upon the gathering of bird-watchers quickly learn that birders are a friendly bunch, willing to share a peek through their telescope, eager to draw new people into the world of bird-watching.

How did the bird end up here?

Good question.

Perhaps a major storm threw it off course during its winter migration. It's one of the mysteries that add to the feel-good discovery of the redwing in Olympia.

As many as 70 people at a time have gathered to train their binoculars and telescopes on the unassuming bird with the distinguishing creamy-white eye stripe and reddish-orange patches under its wings.

Those same people, especially the visitors from afar, are a nice little boost in tourism for the Olympia area. They are eating at Olympia restaurants, sipping coffee at area coffee shops and staying overnight in South Sound hotels and motels.

And they are learning more about the great birding opportunities South Sound has to offer, everywhere from the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge to lower Budd Inlet, Capitol Lake and Mud Bay.

Birders from outside the area: Welcome to Olympia.

Enjoy your stay.