Hebridean Song Thrush

 The Song Thrushes breeding on the Outer Hebrides are classed as a separate sub-species / race Turdus philomelos hebridensis -- back in the days of Kchrome 64 and manual focus cameras and lenses I had a slide of a Hebridean Song Thrush published as there were at that time apparently few images of the race available - there were two pairs breeding near the cottage where we stayed at Locheport - views from the nearby hill looking East up Locheport

a beautiful Song Thrush

 

continental Song Thrush

one of a large influx in the last few days -- cracking bird

local birds this week

a couple of Kingfishers having a battle over the best perch; juvenile Song Thrush, Red-crested Pochard on waters Edge presumably a 1cy drake from iris and bill pattern, and a Garganey on Wedge - think its maybe a 1cy drake but not certain on ageing -- and a buck Roe Deer

Song Thrush

getting back to basics -- well there are no scarce birds about anyway! better with sun in or out?

thrushes in the frost

the patch of dried up sea buckthorn berries on Waters' Edge has been pulling in plenty of thrushes and other birds as well as the odd brown rat in these hard times; 5 Fieldfares, 3 Song Thrushes and 8 Blackbirds plus 4 Bullfinches and a couple of Robins were feasting yesterday --

turdids the missile thrush et al

Saturday late afternoon driving out of town I spotted a flock of Waxwings in the RC church car park -- it was dull and late so headed back this morning to find 17 birds still there but in the top of a lofty birch -- they were trying to get down into a rowan that was the property of a local Mistle Thrush but on their first attempt they were chased off and a disappeared; now the Mistle allows Blackbirds and Song Thrushes to feed on the berries so why not Waxwings -- anyway 2 hours later the flock returned, now 22 birds, and flew straight into the rowan but the Mistle on guard saw them and within about 5 mili-seconds had launched an attack that sent them off to the north-east! now I like Mistle Thrushes but at times they can be a little annoying -- so a selection of birds from a snowy car park