Mistle Thrush

Sadly, the numbers of these magnificent birds are in decline - see this news article. So, I consider myself pretty privileged and very honoured to be visited by a pair of Mistle Thrushes each year. The timing of their visit alters each year, which I put down to the weather and how warm or cold it has been and what impact this may or may not have had on their food sources.

We have a fruit bearing Ivy that has engulfed an old Oak tree in our garden and when this fruits, which is usually between now and the the beginning of May, the Mistle Thrushes arrive. However, I feel this year maybe be different as the berries, despite not being ripe, have been devoured by the Wood Pigeons and unless it re-fruits this will impact on there feeding and potentially their ability to rear a successful clutch of chicks. They were also very quiet last year, although it was much warmer in Spring, but the year prior to that the ivy was in full fruit and the Mistle Thrushes successfully raised at least one clutch - I know this because even the juveniles came to visit us!

We will just have to wait and see what happens this time around,  and I will remain ever hopeful that they can breed successfully, that their numbers can increase and that you too can share in the delights of this beautiful bird.

A quick tip - if you here a distinct rattling song then this will more than likely be a Mistle Thrush.

Here is picture of one of the aforementioned Thrushes visiting our garden last month when it was unusually cold and snowy.




Mistle Thrush