Mistle thrush

Today's the day ....................... to devour

I wondered where the 'mistle' in Mistle thrush came from - and so I had to go and look it up.  The answer is that its latin name is Turdus viscivorus, and the viscivorus  means 'devourer of mistletoe'. In continental Europe, Mistletoe berries are an important food source, but apparently in the UK, they prefer holly and hawthorn berries.

There are usually at least a couple to be seen on Kendal Green.  This is a good sign I think because they are on the RSPB Red  list - 'the highest conservation priority, with species needing urgent action'.  It's a large, pale, black-spotted thrush - aggressive and powerful. It stands boldly upright and bounds across the ground while in flight.

They usually built their nests in the fork of a branch, or up against the trunk of a tree.  Their nests are made out of loosely woven grasses, moss and roots, held together with mud, leaves and rotten wood. Inside they are lined with fine grasses and occasionally pine needles, which are thought to reduce nest parasites ........................