About
the Mistle Thrush
It may seem a bit early to think
about nesting birds, but the Mistle Thrush is one of the first
birds to start breeding. In mild winters, they can begin as
early as February, something that is unlikely to be the case
this year.
Mistle Thrush song can be heard
from late December, often in windy weather. This may be behind
the local name of 'storm cock'.
The Mistle Thrush population
has undergone a pronounced decline since the 1970s, something
that has become apparent from BTO monitoring work.
Mistle Thrushes feed on a range
of invertebrates during the summer, but switch to berries
and fruit during the autumn and winter.
Despite its name, the Mistle
Thrush appears to favour Holly berries over the white-berried
form of Mistletoe that is found here.
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