A Touch of Thrush
Yesterday seemed a quiet day with very few migrants on the Island. I headed south ahead of 'Sheep Hill' (rounding up all the hill sheep) to try & relocate the Arctic Redpoll (which I failed to do!). Mid-morning however, news filtered through that Deryk had just scored with a fine Black-throated Thrush near the Obs which was seen briefly but had flown off! This was greeted with much enthusiasm & hope of what else might have come in on the light Northerly winds, but more searching before lunch didn't bare more eastern fruit. I was just heading back to the Obs for lunch when I got a call from Phil to say he had relocated the Thrush near Double Dyke. After more searching, as it again was only seen briefly, the bird eventually gave itself up near finniquoy for the remaining Obs staff & guests to enjoy - a cracking 1st Winter male Black-throated Thrush (see record shots below). After lunch it was found in the Gully & was trapped, being brought back to the Obs for ringing & processing,. It was a lot smaller in the hand than in the field where it looks & holds itself more like a Fieldfare, it took a 'CC' ring, the same as a Redwing as the 'C' was too big! This handsome individual was seen again feeding alongside Meadow Pipits on the cliff-top grazing area around duckfield late afternoon & was still around today (24th).