Last Friday,31st January, I became aware that a very rare black-throated thrush had been seen on grass area in front of the Grimsby Institute. I heard that it was still there on Saturday and Sunday, but I was unable to get there despite it only being 10 minutes walk away. However, late on Monday morning I was able to join the other birders there and delighted to find that it was still around. It didn't seem at all phased by being by the side of a busy road with a constant passage of studens going to and fro, never mind a dozen birders aremed with binoculars, telescopes and cameras. While I was there it happily divided its time between roosting in a tree and feeding on the ground and I am pleased to say I managed to get some acceptable images.
Black-Throated Thrush is a rare visitor to our shores and is a first record for Lincolnshire. It is the size and shape of our blackbird or thrush with plain brownish-grey upperparts with pale belly and black throat. This bird is a first winter male and so not quite so clearly marked, but a lovely bird nonetheless. It breeds in Siberian taiga and very occasionally strays into Western Europe, especially in late autumn and winter.
To view large, please click on an image.
