Saw my first Mistlethrush for ages!

I'm thinking it's this picture Ron. I had it saved as it's a real beauty.

I saw a Mistle Thrush when I was in England in May of last year. It's not a bird we get here in desert Nevada.

Picture by Roy Jackson

You definitely see more of the Song Thrush than the Mistle Thrush. Of course, it takes a good eye to tell them apart, so maybe from a distance we are seeing the Mistle Thrush but just calling it a Song Thrush because that's what we are used to seeing.

I'll be interested to see if Andy sees many up North. 

Here is some bird 101 for you.

See on Roy's picture above, the patch of feathers right below and behind the Thursh's eye, well that is called the auriculars.The auriculars are the feathers that cover the birds ears.

In Roy's picture this is most prominent, and in my opinion makes it a smashing picture. 

Not many at all Sue and I only ever see a single bird. They're a real rarity up here, as they seem to be everywhere. I think I have a couple of pictures of them somewhere, I'll look them out and pop them on here.

That's a shame Andy. I'm not sure if I'll be over in May (my usual time to visit) but if I am I will make it a priority to look for a pair of Mistle Thrushes. I know an area up from where Ron was today where I usually see one, so I'll look to see if I can find a nesting pair.

Oh, now I want to come over in May as well as October when my husband and I plan a 25th wedding anniversary trip to Ireland. 

What a cool bird!  I've never heard of them.  Is this one a juvenile or is the adult spotted?