As regular CFZ-watchers will know, for some time Corinna has been doing a column for Animals & Men and a regular segment on On The Track... particularly about out-of-place birds and rare vagrants. There seem to be more and more bird stories from all over the world hitting the news these days so, to make room for them all - and to give them all equal and worthy coverage - she has set up this new blog to cover all things feathery and Fortean.

Friday 14 February 2020

Very rare black-throated thrush brings flocks of birdwatchers to Grimsby



Sightings of a black-throated thrush, a bird rarely seen in the UK, has brought dozens of twitchers from across the UK to the town

Corey Bedford Live News Reporter
14:43, 2 FEB 2020

Rare black-throated thrush spotted in Grimsby

Birdwatchers have flocked to Grimsby after a black throated thrush was spotted on the grounds of the Grimsby Institute

Enthusiastic twitchers have travelled from across the UK to see a rare bird that has arrived in Grimsby.

A black-throated thrush has been spotted on the campus of the Grimsby Institute, which has caused quite a stir in the bird-watching community.

The birds are native to Asia, but are occasionally seen elsewhere as vagrant birds, which is when a bird strays far outside its expected breeding, wintering, or migrating range.

Sightings of the black-throated thrush in the UK are incredibly rare, with some bird watchers saying they only appear here once or twice a year.

One twitcher said: "You get a maximum of about two sightings a year in the UK, so it's a very rare occurence.

"We all have apps on our phone such as Bird Guide, which can let you know when a rare bird is spotted somewhere in the UK.

"I've only travelled from Hull, myself, but I have seen people from all over the UK coming to see it, they've been coming and going all morning."

The bird is currently on the green area in front of the Grimsby Institute, and has been hopping from tree to tree throughout the day.

A black-throated thrush can be recognised by its black bill with yellow base, grey plumage, and black tail.

Their breeding range extends from very Eastern Europe to Western Siberia and north-west Mongolia.


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