The Song Thrush
Recently we’ve had several sightings of a Song Thrush feeding on the Green.
These attractive birds are part of the family that includes the Blackbird & Robin and were once numerous in both countryside and urban environments. However, between 1970 & 1998 the British Trust for Ornithology estimate that over all habitats the Song Thrush declined by 59%.
This reduction in numbers has been more marked in the countryside where sightings dropped by 70%. This is most probably due to modern farming practices which have robbed the bird of nesting habitats and good feeding opportunities. The good news is that in recent years there has been a small improvement in numbers. These have been mainly in urban settings.
This species usually establishes its breeding territory in late winter or early spring. If our bird is regularly feeding on the Green it might indicate that we are in its territory so we could have more sightings as the year progresses.
The Song Thrush is a little bit smaller than a Blackbird with a plain olive-brown back & head and very distinct spotted markings on its breast. The spots are often like little arrow-heads.
You really can’t miss it, but might mistake it for its larger cousin, the Mistle Thrush (locally called a Stormcock). This is about the same size, or a fraction bigger than a Blackbird with a lighter brown back and rounder spots compared to the Song Thrush
These attractive birds are part of the family that includes the Blackbird & Robin and were once numerous in both countryside and urban environments. However, between 1970 & 1998 the British Trust for Ornithology estimate that over all habitats the Song Thrush declined by 59%.
This reduction in numbers has been more marked in the countryside where sightings dropped by 70%. This is most probably due to modern farming practices which have robbed the bird of nesting habitats and good feeding opportunities. The good news is that in recent years there has been a small improvement in numbers. These have been mainly in urban settings.
This species usually establishes its breeding territory in late winter or early spring. If our bird is regularly feeding on the Green it might indicate that we are in its territory so we could have more sightings as the year progresses.
The Song Thrush is a little bit smaller than a Blackbird with a plain olive-brown back & head and very distinct spotted markings on its breast. The spots are often like little arrow-heads.
You really can’t miss it, but might mistake it for its larger cousin, the Mistle Thrush (locally called a Stormcock). This is about the same size, or a fraction bigger than a Blackbird with a lighter brown back and rounder spots compared to the Song Thrush