Wednesday, 7 December 2016

Dusky Thrush , Beeley

Set off early, 2am, for the 4 hour drive to Beeley in Derbyshire hoping to see the Dusky Thrush which had first been reported on Monday.  Arrived at 6:30 while still dark.

At 7:30 along with around 80 other birders staked out the orchard at Duke's Barn Activity Centre where the bird at shown early on both the Monday and Tuesday previously.  At 7:50 whilst still quite dark the bird duly arrived and started feeding on Apples on the ground.  It was quite difficult to pick out in the poor light.  The bird fed for about 10 minutes and then flew off.

1st winter Dusky Thrush (Turdus eunomus) at first light in the orchard at Beeley
The bird briefly reappeared at 9:05 but was not photographable and was then not present in the orchard until 10:15 at which time it performed well in much better light.

1st winter Dusky Thrush (Turdus eunomus) in the orchard at Beeley

1st winter Dusky Thrush (Turdus eunomus) in the orchard at Beeley

1st winter Dusky Thrush (Turdus eunomus) in the orchard at Beeley
 The only other thrush feeding on apples was a male Blackbird which the Dusk Thrush was intent on chasing away.

1st winter Dusky Thrush (Turdus eunomus) harassing a male Blackbird (Turdus merula) in the orchard at Beeley.
The bird continued showing until around 10:30 and then again flew off and had not returned when I finally left at 12:30.

Many thanks to the locals at Dukes's Barn who supplied us all with hot drinks, Bacon and sausage rolls and chips throughout the morning.

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