Overall impression was of a pale cold grey/brown thrush similar in size to the surrounding blackbirds, possibly a fraction smaller with an obvious throat and facial pattern. The bird hopped around feeding on the ground similarly to the other Redwing and Blackbirds feeding in the area.
Size: The bird appeared blackbird size, possibly slightly smaller. It's shape was proportionately more "song Thrush" than blackbird. It was clearly bigger than the surrounding Redwing.
Head: The head pattern was well marked with a buffy supercilium contrasting with dark lores and dull brown crown. The bird had an obvious creamy, white throat which was bordered either side with a dark malar stripe, this was parallel to a creamy white sub-moustachial stripe which extended to just below the plain ear coverts and kinked out around the edge of the ear coverts.
Breast/Belly: The upper breast below the pale throat was covered in suffused dark buff streaking which formed an indistinct breast band, with a few streaks extending on to the flanks. The remainder of the lower breast and belly appeared a creamy white.
Upperparts: The mantle was a grey/brown, the greater coverts were dark centred with clear white tips forming an indistinct greater covert wing bar. The folded tertials were dark centred with pale edges, the primaries were also dark with pale tips.
Bare Parts: Unfortunately we failed to note these as we were concentrating on the facial pattern and wings.
Rump & Underwing: Not seen
Call: Not heard
We believe the bird was a 1st year female.
BLACK-THROATED THRUSH DESCRIPTION