Turn the clock back 24 hours and who'd have thought I, along with a small army of birders would be standing amongst the gravestones of Margate Cemetery, looking at only the 9th record of Dusky Thrush in the UK - not many could have predicted that one! But there I was in May of all months, watching this superb far eastern Thrush.
For most of the time I was there it shunned the limelight and kept itself partially hidden amongst the fresh green foliage of a Sycamore tree in full leaf, often perched in the darkened areas of the canopy, perfectly still, hoping that no one had noticed it!
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| What are you lot looking at? |
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| Obscured view! |
And for the best part of an hour these were the only views I was getting but eventually my patience along with the waiting masses (I might add all impeccably behaved) was rewarded when the bird came into full view - bingo!
There she was in all her finery, the striking head pattern with that broad creamy supercillium and those wings with the distinct pale edged greater coverts were now on show, a first-winter female Dusky Thrush - magical.
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| At last - the view I was after |
