Nightingal? (1 Viewer)

Mar 11, 2013
1,272
1,670
Gillingham
Funster No
25,056
MH
coachbuilt
Exp
since 2005
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.
 
Apr 12, 2013
1,068
2,170
Shrewsbury
Funster No
25,496
MH
Carthago 144
Exp
12
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 ?
 
Last edited:
Dec 12, 2010
5,368
21,198
Cumbria
Funster No
14,651
MH
C Class
Exp
since 2011
Not denying what you saw, but this time of year, Robins are very melodious and are sometimes known as "the winter nightingale"

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Sep 21, 2007
1,617
13,639
Kings Ripton, Huntingdon
Funster No
316
MH
RP Rebellion 2 2024
Exp
Since 2007
This……?

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Attachments

  • 9866F0B6-90B5-41D3-9695-369ED4CADBDF.jpeg
    9866F0B6-90B5-41D3-9695-369ED4CADBDF.jpeg
    392.3 KB · Views: 10
OP
OP
xsparks
Mar 11, 2013
1,272
1,670
Gillingham
Funster No
25,056
MH
coachbuilt
Exp
since 2005
I might mistake a fieldfare for a thrush, but that's where it ends.
 
OP
OP
xsparks
Mar 11, 2013
1,272
1,670
Gillingham
Funster No
25,056
MH
coachbuilt
Exp
since 2005
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
 

twerly

Free Member
Nov 3, 2013
38
71
Warwickshire
Funster No
28,869
MH
Hymer MLT 570
Exp
2013
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.
 
Jun 30, 2011
7,190
19,911
Barnard Castle, UK
Funster No
17,128
MH
Concorde Concerto
Exp
Since 2007
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

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
OP
OP
xsparks
Mar 11, 2013
1,272
1,670
Gillingham
Funster No
25,056
MH
coachbuilt
Exp
since 2005
The bird was predominantly grey not brown, no red breast and much larger than a Robin. Perhaps a little smaller than a Thrush.
 

Cherub

Free Member
Sep 24, 2020
267
2,505
Glen Prosen, Angus, Scotland
Funster No
76,229
MH
Compass Avantgarde
Exp
Since 2009
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.
 
Sep 21, 2007
1,617
13,639
Kings Ripton, Huntingdon
Funster No
316
MH
RP Rebellion 2 2024
Exp
Since 2007
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 ?

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
OP
OP
xsparks
Mar 11, 2013
1,272
1,670
Gillingham
Funster No
25,056
MH
coachbuilt
Exp
since 2005
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.
 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Funsters who are viewing this thread

Back
Top