Nightingal?

[xsparks]

Yesterday, whilst out walking the dog I heard a birdsong that I didn't recognise. I followed the sound until I discovered where it was coming from. The bird was about the size of a thrush with a grey underbody and a darker, perhaps pale brown back and wings. I looked on utube and listened to the recordings which I'm sure were the same. I know that these birds usually arrive in April so I guess it's something else. I've looked at the RSPB book, What's That Bird but nothing seems to be quite the same. Maybe you twitchers out there can put me right.
Mind you we had a Brown Boobie on our coast recently so anything is possible.

 

[KUSKUS]

I use BirdNET on my Android phone when I don't recognise a birds song , very useful.
Looking at RSPB site and they say that Nightingales arrive in the UK in April but you never know ?

 

[jockaneezer]

Not denying what you saw, but this time of year, Robins are very melodious and are sometimes known as "the winter nightingale"

 

[Lisa]

Could it be a Fieldfare?

 

[TheAleMan]

Could it be a Fieldfare?

It will be a Fieldfare

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[TheAleMan]

This……?

 

[xsparks]

Do they come without the spots?Otherwise no.

 

[xsparks]

I might mistake a fieldfare for a thrush, but that's where it ends.

 

[TheAleMan]

Ok not a Fieldfare it won’t be nightingale either as they are smaller.

 

[Lisa]

I’m intrigued now

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[xsparks]

It was the song that attracted my attention since there's not much going on yet. Even our garden blackbirds not very chirpy yet. The odd whistle from a local bluetit, and a noisy Crow and a couple of magpies

 

[cyberyacht]

Were you near Berkeley Square?

 

[CazPaul]

Female blackbird?
1st year female juvenile blackbird?

 

[twerly]

It will be either a robin or juvenile male blackbird, only males sing. Any nightingale that arrived early would die quickly as their usual food would not be available. As previous poster mentioned robins are one of the few winter songbirds that sing throughout the year. Would not be a fieldfare or redwing as they do not breed here so no need to sing, they just make their alarm call. Might be a dunnock (hedge sparrow) as these may be fooled by the recent mild weather - like a robin, but no red brest.

 

[CazPaul]

It will be either a robin or juvenile male blackbird, only males sing. Any nightingale that arrived early would die quickly as their usual food would not be available. As previous poster mentioned robins are one of the few winter songbirds that sing throughout the year. Would not be a fieldfare or redwing as they do not breed here so no need to sing, they just make their alarm call. Might be a dunnock (hedge sparrow) as these may be fooled by the recent mild weather - like a robin, but no red brest.

I’ve heard a female blackbird sing, different sounds to the male and not as melodious

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[xsparks]

The bird was predominantly grey not brown, no red breast and much larger than a Robin. Perhaps a little smaller than a Thrush.

 

[Cherub]

Yesterday, whilst out walking the dog I heard a birdsong that I didn't recognise. I followed the sound until I discovered where it was coming from. The bird was about the size of a thrush with a grey underbody and a darker, perhaps pale brown back and wings. I looked on utube and listened to the recordings which I'm sure were the same. I know that these birds usually arrive in April so I guess it's something else. I've looked at the RSPB book, What's That Bird but nothing seems to be quite the same. Maybe you twitchers out there can put me right.
Mind you we had a Brown Boobie on our coast recently so anything is possible.

I use two apps, Chirp and Pocket Birds. May help you.

 

[TheAleMan]

The only other bird I can think of is a Mistle Thrush. The reason I say that is..they are early breeders (March) normally, and you might just get the odd singing male at this time of year ?

 

[xsparks]

About 3 miles from where I sighted the bird is Chattenden where Nightingales are known to nest. Since I can't find a bird that fits better with what I saw I'm beginning to think it was a Nightingale that has arrived to early in the year and so will probably die.